Aston Villa predicted XI vs Coventry City: Nicolas Jackson axed as Unai Emery makes nine changes

Aston Villa are looking ahead to a first meeting with Coventry City in 25 years on Wednesday.

The Sky Blues are now in the Premier League having been relegated at Villa Park in May 2001.

They have endured a shocking start to life back in the top flight under Frank Lampard.

Unai Emery and Co. haven't fared any better with both sides yet to pick up three points in the league.

Attention now turns to the Carabao Cup as a first meeting in a generation awaits at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Villa are in need of a result after a frustrating result against Nottingham Forest last time out as we assess how they could line-up in mid-week.

Will Taylor Harwood-Bellis make his Aston Villa debut?

Given how poor the start to the campaign has been in B6, the League Cup provides a perfect chance to blood some fresh faces.

Saying that, Emery may bring Marco Bizot back into the starting XI to give Zion Suzuki a rest after three starts on the bounce.

The Dutchman could feature in a totally changed backline after injuries to Matty Cash, Ian Maatsen and Pau Torres.

Tyrone Mings could come in for the latter after doing so against Forest where he put up five defensive actions.

He may be joined by Taylor Harwood-Bellis who could be set for his Villa debut.

Lamare Bogarde could replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right back after his failure to complete a cross or long ball at the weekend.

It could also be the time for Matteo Ruggeri to bag his maiden Villa outing as a replacement for Maatsen at the back.

With so much change at the back, Boubacar Kamara may be given the nod to start once again after his seven duel wins and five defensive actions against Forest.

His perfect partner could be Joao Gomes who could make his return from suspension to replace Ross Barkley.

Could Nicolas Jackson be dropped vs Coventry City?

If Emery is to make lots of changes at the back, he could follow suit going forward.

John McGinn may be in line to start again after his assist in the Premier League defeat, but he could feature more centrally.

That could see George Hemmings and Emi Buendia drop out after losing 10 duels between them in B6.

Alysson could come in for his first ever Villa start after his first goal against Forest and be paired with Ibrahim Mbaye on the opposite flank.

The Senegal international made an impression on his debut after racking up a 100 per cent shot accuracy while also clocking up the highest speed on the pitch with 33.6km-per-hour.

They could both be working to supply Tammy Abraham, who may start despite his disaster class against Forest.

That could see Nicolas Jackson drop to the bench after being substituted at half-time in his last outing.

He took just 12 touches and completed two passes while on the pitch, so a rest may do him well.

Aston Villa predicted XI vs Coventry City: Bizot, Bogarde, Harwood-Bellis, Mings, Ruggeri, Kamara, Gomes, McGinn, Alysson, Mbaye, Abraham