Aston Villa take on League Two side Crewe Alexandra this evening.
Aston Villa starting line-up: Steer; Elmohamady, Konsa, Hause, Targett; Nakamba, Hourihane, Lansbury; Jota, El Ghazi, Davis.
Aston Villa substitutes: Nyland, Luiz, Grealish, Guilbert, Tshibola, Ramsey, Archer.
Aston Villa get their Carabao Cup campaign underway tonight, travelling to take on Crewe Alexandra with the League Two side seeking a giant-killing.
Villa picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Everton on Friday, and Dean Smith will be hoping to avoid a shock tonight.
He’s gone with Jed Steer in goal, and a back four of Ahmed Elmohamady, Ezri Konsa, Kortney Hause and Matt Targett ahead of him this evening.
Marvelous Nakamba is handed a first start in holding midfield, with Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury picked to play in more advanced roles tonight.
Jota and Anwar El Ghazi start after impressing against Everton, and they will support youngster Keinan Davis as the lone striker tonight.
Jack Grealish, Frederic Guilbert and Douglas Luiz are all named on the bench, as is forgotten outcast Aaron Tshibola in a shock move by Smith.
Orjan Nyland, Jacob Ramsey and Cameron Archer are also on the bench, with Smith naming a whole host of changes for tonight’s game.
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