Robert Jones will referee Aston Villa’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Coventry City on Wednesday night.
The 39-year-old has been appointed for the 8pm clash at the Coventry Building Society Arena as Unai Emery’s side attempt to reach the fourth round.
Jones will be assisted by Stuart Burt and Alistair Nelson, while Anthony Backhouse is the fourth official.
The EFL has published its match-official appointments for the third round of the Carabao Cup, with current fixture listings confirming Jones will take charge of Coventry against Villa.
Who is the Coventry City vs Aston Villa referee?
Jones is an experienced Premier League official.
He has refereed more than 100 matches in the competition since making his top-flight debut in December 2019.
His record with Villa is mixed.
Referee data lists Jones as having previously overseen 22 Aston Villa matches, with Villa winning seven, drawing five and losing ten of those fixtures.
Two of his Villa assignments during 2024/25 included the 1-1 home draw with Ipswich Town and the 1-0 victory against Fulham at Villa Park.
Jones has taken charge of two Premier League fixtures so far this season, averaging four yellow cards per match without producing a red card.
That disciplinary record could be worth watching on Wednesday with both sides expected to make changes.
Will Coventry City vs Aston Villa have VAR?
There is no VAR at this stage of the Carabao Cup.
That is an important difference from Villa’s Premier League and Champions League fixtures.
The same rule was in operation for Chelsea’s third-round meeting with Leeds earlier this month, with no video assistant available to intervene in major decisions.
It places greater responsibility on Jones and his two assistants to make decisions on the pitch.
There is another cup rule supporters should know.
If Coventry and Villa are level after 90 minutes, the match will go straight to a penalty shootout rather than extra time. That system applies until the later stages of the competition.
Aston Villa looking for first domestic win
Villa travel to Coventry still searching for their first domestic victory of the season.
Emery’s team did win 3-2 away to Club Brugge in the Champions League, but Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest continued their difficult Premier League start.
Coventry have endured an even worse opening, losing their first four league fixtures without scoring.
Our Coventry City vs Aston Villa prediction backs Villa to edge Wednesday’s tie, while the latest Coventry team news includes Taiwo Awoniyi’s suspension and Frank Lampard’s injury concerns.
Supporters can also find Coventry City vs Aston Villa TV channel, live-stream and kick-off details here.
Jones will now be the man responsible for overseeing Wednesday’s knockout tie.
