JAKE Buxton says that playing clubs like Aston Villa live in front of the Sky cameras are nights to remember for Burton Albion.
He will be hoping to conjure up a repeat of the last time the two teams met in the Carabao Cup when the Brewers pulled off a 1-0 win in August 2018 thanks to a Liam Boyce goal and a last minute penalty save from Harry Campbell.
The two teams meet in the Second Round of this year’s competition at the Pirelli Stadium tomorrow night with Albion hoping to pull off an even bigger giant-killing with two divisions now between the two clubs.
Buxton said: “Villa have progressed since we last played them gaining promotion from the Championship and then retaining their Premier League status.
“You are never sure how they will come out of the blocks, but they have signed a couple of new players and we expect them to be full off beans and right at it. Matty Cash coming in from Forest we expect to be sharp, and Ollie Watkins coming in from Brentford we know can be a big threat. There is talent throughout their squad and we expect them to start quickly and we need to nullify them and play our game.”
Premier League clubs often rest players in the Carabao Cup, but Buxton is preparing his team for the best Villa can offer.
He said: “We fully expect Villa to put a strong side out and we are preparing for their strongest 11. If it changes and they don’t, I will be encouraging our lads not to take them lightly and importantly to still play our brand of football, make a good game of it and take it to Villa as well.
“It’s about creating our own momentum and making sure we are ready for the challenge.”
The Brewers will be without Charles Vernam, who is still recovering from an injury picked up against Accrington in the last round of the Carabao Cup and will also be missing Neal Eardley, who was forced off in the League One opener at Fleetwood on Saturday. John-Joe O’Toole will also be missing after picking up a red card at Fleetwood.
Buxton said: “Neal tweaked a quad in the game on Saturday putting a cross into the box. He was getting some joy in the second half putting lots of crosses in, but he will be looking at seven to 10 days and we will get him re-assessed next week.
“If we are going to make progress in cup competitions, the squad will be utilised, and we have told the lads who haven’t started yet to make sure they are ready for the opportunity.”