Coventry City vs Aston Villa LIVE match updates and team news from Carabao Cup clash

LIVE EVENT ENDEDLast updated 16th September 2026

Aston Villa go in search of their second win of the season as they face Coventry City in the Carabao Cup.

Unai Emery's side have made a slow start to the campaign, having beaten only Club Brugge in their first five matches, while losing three and drawing one of their opening Premier League games, scoring just once.

Emery made seven changes for the Carabao Cup third-round match against Brentford last season and could name a much-changed starting XI again this evening.

Only Coventry have started the season worse than Villa, having lost all four of their matches and failed to score in any of them.

The Sky Blues beat Plymouth Argyle 4-2 away from home in the second round of the competition.

Stay tuned as we bring you match updates and goal alerts from the CBS Arena.

Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa celebrates scoring

Here are John Townley's player ratings

Aston Villa cruise into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after beating Coventry City 3-1 at the CBS Arena.

Tammy Abraham scored in both halves, while Ross Barkley restored the lead in the first. An important victory heading into the weekend.

Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa celebrates scoring

Ross Barkley of Aston Villa celebrates scoring

John McGinn and Ibrahim Mbaye replace Emi Buendia and Johan Manzambi

TAMMMYY! He grabs his second of the night. It comes from another corner. This time John McGinn's delivery was flicked on by Ross Barkley, and found its way to Abraham.

Sakamoto and Cherif have both come off for Coventry.

Simms and Tchaouna replace them.

No goalscoring opportunities for either side so far in this half.

Underway for the second half.

Zion Suzuki has replaced Marco Bizot.

Looks like Zion Suzuki will replace Marco Bizot at the start of the second half. Suzuki is now going through his drills with the ball alongside goalkeeping coach Javi Garcia.

Villa lead at the CBS Arena after goals from Abraham and Barkley either side of Torp's free-kick. There have been a few too many casual moments at the back, but Villa have been effective in the final third. Mbaye and Hemmings provided the assists.

Zion Suzuki is warming up on the side of the pitch with his gloves on. You'd imagine that Marco Bizot has an issue, but can't tell what that is at this stage.

Ross Barkley restores Villa's lead by heading in from Ibrahim Mbaye's corner. The set-piece was won by Barkley after his previous effort was tipped around the post.

Aston Villa's George Hemmings (centre) battles for the ball with Coventry City's Caleb Yirenkyi (left) and Joel Latibeaudiere

McGinn should have restored Villa’s lead. After Barkley won the ball back high up the pitch, Mbaye’s effort was blocked towards McGinn. The skipper dragged his effort wide of the near post.

Villa get away with one. Playing it out from the back, Tyrone Mings’ pass was cut around six yards from goal. Bogarde is there in time to block a pass from Coventry’s Thomas across the box.

Victor Torp levels up for Coventry, beating Marco Bizot with a free-kick. It came after Ross Barkley was penalised a few yards outside the box.

Villa nearly doubled their lead through Matteo Ruggeri. John McGinn rolled the ball into his path after receiving it from Ibrahim Mbaye following a corner. Ruggeri’s effort, which looked to be heading in, was blocked.

Amenda has been forced off with an injury. That’s a big blow for Coventry to lose one of their main centre-backs. Experienced defender Pinnock replaces him.

TAMMYYY! George Hemmings spots Abraham's run in behind, before the striker finishes past Dan Bentley.

Tyrone Mings knocks the ball forward for Matteo Ruggeri. Coventry really should have dealt with the danger, but Villa’s left-back still manages to get the ball across. John McGinn can’t quite connect with the cross.

We're underway at the CBS Arena.

I'll bring you match updates and goal alerts as we go...

Both sets of teams are back out on the pitch ahead of kick-off.

Villa are wearing their home strip, fit with claret shorts and socks.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis makes his long-awaited debut this evening.

He hadn’t featured in the three previous squads which Emery named before tonight, against Hull, Brugge and Forest.

But he gets his chance to impress in the Carabao Cup. He partners Tyrone Mings.

BirminghamLive understands that Joao Gomes is experiencing some 'discomfort'. That's why he is not in the squad tonight.

So, it’s seven changes for Villa this evening, and nine changes for Coventry.

The only players to keep their places from the defeat to Forest are Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ross Barkley, George Hemmings and John McGinn.

Good to see Ibrahim Mbaye get his first start for Villa, playing off the right wing, with Hemmings on the opposite flank and McGinn likely in the 10.

Tammy Abraham leads the line, which keeps Nicolas Jackson fresh for Spurs away at the weekend.

Starting XI: Bentley; Latibeaudiere, Amenda, Thomas, Mfuni; Yirenki, Hamer; Torp, Sakamoto, Gboho; Cherif.

Subs: Wilson, Pinnock, Grimes, Simms, Mason-Clark, Onyeka, Tchaouna, Bidwell, Thomas-Asante.

Villa starting XI: Bizot; Wan-Bissaka, Harwood-Bellis, Mings; Ruggeri; Bogarde, Barkley; Mbaye, McGinn, Hemmings; Abraham.

Subs: Suzuki, Cash, Lindelof, Kamara, Buendia, Jackson, Garnacho, Manzambi, Alysson.

Good evening and welcome to BirminghamLive's coverage of Aston Villa’s Carabao Cup third-round clash against Coventry City at the CBS Arena.

Villa are in need of a win, not only to progress to the next round but also to build some momentum ahead of their important league visit to Tottenham on Saturday.

Coventry come into the game as the only side to have made a worse start to the Premier League campaign than Villa, having failed to score a goal or pick up a point.

We’re expecting team news at 7pm this evening.