Match Previews

Match Preview | Wanderers v Aston Villa U21s

8th October 2024

Wanderers are all set for their second Bristol Street Motors Trophy match of the season as they take on Aston Villa U21s on Tuesday night.

Ian Evatt's side already have a win under their belt in the competition following a 3-2 away win against Barrow at the start of September.

With an another international break on Saturday, the Whites will be hoping to go into the break with a win as well as giving a number of youngsters a chance to impress.

Manager Quotes

Ian Evatt: "We will give the game the respect it deserves but that becomes difficult when there's an international window, we've got quite a lot of injuries and tired bodies from the recent run of games, so there will be opportunities for some young players."

"Aston Villa will have their own problems with international call-ups. The young players who are involved on Tuesday will have a great opportunity to impress and see where they are."

Team News

After returning to the matchday squad in recent weeks, Klaidi Lolos is expected to make his return to the pitch on Tuesday night after recovering from an ankle injury picked up on the first day of the season.

International call-ups and injuries will pave the way for some younger players to impress. Most noticably in the goalkeeping department with Luke Southwood away with Northern Ireland and Nathan Baxter and Joel Coleman both injured, Luke Hutchinson could be set to start in between the sticks for Wanderers.

Wanderers will also be without Szabolcs Shön, Eoin Toal, Josh Sheehan and Dion Charles who are all away with their respective countries in the UEFA Nations League.

As for Villa, they could field Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara who are both stepping up their recovery from injuries. The pair got 45 minutes in the tank on Saturday against Newcastle United in the Premier League 2.

Villa aren't afraid to throw some star-studded names into the competition with Emi Buendia and Ross Barkley featuring against Fleetwood Town.

Form Guide

Ian Evatt's side picked up three points in the competition against Barrow earlier in the season thanks to goals from Aaron Collins, John McAtee and Kyle Dempsey in a 3-2 win at the SO Legal Stadium.

In general, Wanderers have picked up in form since the start of the season and are unbeaten in four games despite a frustrating draw on Saturday against Shrewsbury Town with a second half fightback.

Villa also collected maximum points in their opening Bristol Street Motors game with a 3-2 away with at Fleetwood Town. Two goals from Emi Buendia and a late winner from Kyrie Pierre ensured a winning start.

Kick-off and competition rules

Tuesday 8th October, 7:45pm.

Each win in the group is worth three points and if the scores are level after 90 minutes, both sides will earn one point with a penalty shoot-out to decide a bonus point.

The top two sides in the group go through to the knock-out phase.