Coventry City will be without Taiwo Awoniyi when they face Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
The striker was shown a straight red card during Coventry’s 5-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton on Sunday after catching Maxim De Cuyper with his arm.
The dismissal carries a three-match suspension for violent conduct, meaning Awoniyi will miss Wednesday’s third-round tie against Unai Emery’s side.
It represents another setback for Frank Lampard after an extremely difficult start to the Premier League season.
Taiwo Awoniyi suspended against Aston Villa
Awoniyi was dismissed early in the second half against Brighton.
Referee Tony Harrington showed the striker a straight red following his challenge on De Cuyper, with VAR supporting the decision.
Coventry were already trailing 2-0 at the time.
Brighton subsequently took complete control and eventually recorded a 5-0 victory at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The Guardian’s match report details Coventry’s heavy defeat and Awoniyi’s red card, with the Sky Blues enduring another damaging afternoon before Villa’s visit.
Awoniyi will therefore play no part when Villa arrive on Wednesday.
Supporters can find TV channel, live-stream and kick-off information for Coventry City vs Aston Villa ahead of the 8pm tie.
Coventry suffer 5-0 defeat before Aston Villa clash
The suspension is not Coventry’s only concern.
Lampard’s side have now lost each of their opening four Premier League matches without scoring a goal.
Brighton’s five-goal victory means Coventry have conceded heavily immediately before turning their attention to the Carabao Cup.
The Guardian notes Coventry have become only the second team in Premier League history to lose their opening four matches without scoring, following Crystal Palace in 2017/18.
That gives Villa an interesting opportunity on Wednesday.
Emery’s side have also endured a difficult domestic start, but they did win 3-2 away to Club Brugge in the Champions League last week.
Wednesday therefore brings together two teams searching for domestic momentum.
The clubs have not met competitively for more than 25 years, with our Coventry City vs Aston Villa head-to-head guidecovering their previous meetings.
Aston Villa receive another selection boost
Villa have already received positive squad news ahead of the tie.
João Gomes has completed his three-match domestic suspension and can return against Coventry.
Our latest João Gomes update explains why the midfielder is available again after serving the final game of his ban against Nottingham Forest.
Emery will nevertheless have his own absences to manage.
Ian Maatsen is expected to miss six to eight weeks with ankle tendon damage, while Pau Torres could also spend several weeks on the sidelines.
But Coventry will now have to prepare without Awoniyi as Lampard attempts to lift his side following Sunday’s heavy defeat.
