Preview: Fleetwood Town vs Aston Villa U21 – Prediction, team news, lineups

After the first defeat of the season Fleetwood Town The aim is to get back on track against Aston Villa U21 on Tuesday, when the teams in EFL Trophy Group D

Both sides begin their campaign this week and will ultimately battle for a top-two spot in a group that also includes Barrow and Bolton Wanderers.

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After an unbeaten start to the League Two season, Fleetwood Town travelled to the capital hoping to extend their run on Saturday. Charlie AdamThe team suffered its first defeat.

Fleetwood returned from London empty-handed after a 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon, having taken just five points from their first four games.

After being relegated from League One, an immediate return to England's third tier is the Lancashire club's only goal for the 2024–25 season, although knockout football has proved a welcome distraction.

The Fishermen have not been scoring goals in abundance, but they did score twice in each of their two EFL Cup games in August, where they beat West Bromwich Albion and then Rotherham United.

Ryan Graydon He scored three goals in those two games against higher-class opponents, so the Irish striker will have a good chance of taking advantage of the inexperienced defense on Tuesday evening.

Last time out, Aston Villa's U21 team were defeated by Arsenal's young talents, suffering a 4-1 away defeat on Friday.

Head Coach Josep Gombau had previously helped his team take four points from their opening two games of the Premier League 2 season, following a win over Derby County and a 1-1 draw at Leeds United.

Last season, Villa finished 16th, just enough to make the playoffs, but were knocked out in the round of 16 after an extra-time loss to eventual champions Tottenham Hotspur.

The Midlands side also finished bottom of their EFL Trophy group in 2023, picking up just one point, so they will be hoping to do better this time around.

Fleetwood Town form (all competitions):

Aston Villa U21 form (all competitions):

Team News

Charlie Adam is likely to make changes to his starting XI during the week and could field a player recently loaned from Manchester United. Rhys Bennett in defence after the 20-year-old centre-back came on as a substitute on Saturday.

Kayden Hughes also made his league debut for Fleetwood at the weekend, and Huddersfield Town striker Kian Harratt has just joined on loan for one season.

Former Arsenal defender Zech Medley However, he will not be available due to an Achilles tendon operation.

Substitute goalkeeper Jay Lynch started both of Fleetwood’s EFL Cup matches, but Aston Villa’s U21s will stick with their number one starting line-up Sam LewisThat’s what they call their strongest eleven.

Ben Broggio is the visitors’ top scorer this season with two goals, while the Scottish striker Rory Wilson should start in attack after his penalty goal against Arsenal. Kobe Moore – Son of a former Villa player Stefan Moore – could also be used in the final third.

Fleetwood Town’s possible starting line-up:
Lynching; Wiredu, Holgate, Bennett; Johnston, Bonds, Mayor, Virtue, Patterson; Graydon, Harratt

Possible starting line-up for Aston Villa U21:
Lewis; Katsukunya, Smith, Amundsen-Day, Patterson; Pierre, Alcock, Borland, Broggio; Wilson, Moore

Our thoughts: Fleetwood Town 1-0 Aston Villa Under-21s

Although promotion from League Two is their priority, Fleetwood Town should still be able to get past Aston Villa's U21 side, who clearly lack experience in senior football. In front of their own fans, the Cod Army can start their EFL Trophy campaign with a win.

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