Coventry City host Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday, in the first meeting between the Midlands rivals in 25 years.
Frank Lampard’s side will see it as a rare opportunity to build some confidence after losing all four of their opening Premier League fixtures. Lampard has hinted he could make changes to freshen up his side, saying the club’s return to fixtures of this magnitude after years away is “not short on me,” while also stressing he wants to give in-form squad players a chance to impress.
Coventry City team news
Coventry will be without Taiwo Awoniyi, who begins a three-match suspension after his red card in Sunday’s 5-0 defeat to Brighton. Haji Wright, Josh Eccles, Luke Woolfenden and Kaine Kesler-Hayden, the latter a product of Aston Villa’s academy, all remain unavailable, and it remains to be seen whether Elis Simms is fit enough to feature having missed Sunday’s squad entirely.
With Awoniyi suspended, Sidiki Cherif is in line for his first Coventry start after making his debut off the bench against Brighton, with the Guinea international competing for the central striker role. Lampard is expected to make several further changes from the side beaten by Brighton, giving fringe players an opportunity to stake their claim.
Coventry City predicted lineup
Coventry City possible starting XI (3-4-2-1): Bentley; Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Mfuni; Van Ewijk, Grimes, Torp, Dasilva; Tchaouna, Hamer; Cherif
When will the match kick off?
The Carabao Cup third-round match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
How to watch Coventry City vs Aston Villa?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
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