Aston Villa have an opportunity to kick-start their domestic season when they travel to Coventry City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Unai Emery’s side remain without a Premier League victory after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Villa did at least end their league scoring drought through Alysson, while their 3-2 Champions League victory over Club Brugge showed significantly more attacking promise.
Coventry’s situation is even more concerning.
Frank Lampard’s side were thrashed 5-0 by Brighton on Sunday and have now lost their opening four Premier League matches without scoring.
With Coventry also missing several players, Villa should travel believing they can reach the fourth round.
Coventry City struggling before Aston Villa clash
Sunday was the latest difficult afternoon for Coventry.
They caused Brighton some problems early on but failed to take advantage before the visitors established control.
Once Brighton found the breakthrough, Coventry became increasingly vulnerable and eventually conceded five.
The defeat left Lampard’s side pointless and goalless from their opening four Premier League games.
Their task on Wednesday has also been complicated by Taiwo Awoniyi’s suspension.
The striker was dismissed against Brighton and will consequently miss the cup tie.
Our latest Coventry City team news ahead of Aston Villa also outlines the other absences Lampard must manage.
Villa should therefore be looking to place Coventry’s defensive structure under pressure from the start.
As we explored in our Coventry opposition analysis, Brighton demonstrated how much space can appear when Lampard’s side commit players forward.
That could particularly suit Villa’s quicker attacking options.
Aston Villa cannot afford another slow start
None of that makes Wednesday straightforward.
Villa have problems of their own.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest left Emery’s team still searching for their first Premier League win. Sky Sports also noted that Villa remain winless in the league after Forest’s victory at Villa Park.
Emery is also managing an increasingly complicated injury situation.
Ian Maatsen is expected to miss six to eight weeks following his ankle injury, while Pau Torres could spend several weeks sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Matty Cash’s availability also needs monitoring after he missed Villa’s previous two matches.
There is at least one significant boost.
João Gomes has completed his domestic suspension and can return against Coventry, giving Emery another midfield option.
Rotation should still be expected.
Players including Alejandro Garnacho, Alysson and Taylor Harwood-Bellis all have legitimate cases for increased minutes, particularly with Tottenham waiting in the Premier League on Saturday.
Coventry City vs Aston Villa prediction
Coventry’s league record makes Villa favourites, but Emery’s side have not been reliable enough domestically to predict a comfortable victory.
Lampard’s team created chances before collapsing against Brighton and a cup tie at home could produce a very different atmosphere.
Villa nevertheless have the stronger squad and considerably more attacking depth.
If Emery’s side avoid another passive opening and exploit the spaces Coventry have been leaving defensively, there should be enough quality to progress.
Prediction: Coventry City 1-2 Aston Villa
Villa may have to work for it, but Wednesday looks like an important opportunity to build some domestic momentum.
The fixture takes place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Wednesday 16 September at 8pm, as confirmed by Coventry City.
Supporters can find Coventry City vs Aston Villa TV channel, streaming and kick-off details here.
