Coventry City face Aston Villa in the League Cup on Wednesday night looking to halt a dismal run of form that has left them bottom of the Premier League. The Sky Blues were thrashed 5-0 at home by Brighton last weekend, their fourth defeat in five matches.
Mark Robins's side have lost all four of their league games this season, conceding ten goals without scoring. They sit 20th in the standings with zero points, already twelve points adrift of leaders Arsenal. The League Cup offers a chance for respite, but the visit of Premier League rivals Villa represents another stern test.
Coventry's recent results make for grim reading. Before the Brighton defeat, they lost 1-0 at Manchester City and 1-0 at home to Hull City. Their only win in the last five outings was a 4-2 victory at Plymouth Argyle in late August. The team's overall stats show a worrying lack of goals, having failed to score in 360 minutes of Premier League football this season.
Team news and injuries
Coventry are expected to rotate their squad for the cup tie. Their last starting lineup featured Carl Rushworth in goal behind a back three of Amenda, Thomas and Pinnock, with van Ewijk and Dasilva as wing-backs. Frank Onyeka, who started that game, is among the players currently sidelined.
Aston Villa also arrive off a defeat, having lost 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest. They have significant injury concerns of their own. Key midfielder Amadou Onana is out long-term with a cruciate ligament injury, while Leon Goretzka, Matty Cash and Pau Torres are also unavailable. Forward Brian Madjo is sidelined with a knock.
Villa's last lineup saw Z. Suzuki in goal with a defence featuring Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf and Maatsen. Barkley and Kamara anchored the midfield behind an attacking trio of McGinn, Buendía and Hemmings, supporting striker Nicolas Jackson.
The match kicks off at 19:00 UTC at the Coventry Building Society Arena. For Coventry, the focus quickly returns to the Premier League, with a trip to face 11th-placed Nottingham Forest scheduled for Saturday.
