Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has indicated he may make several changes to his starting lineup ahead of the third-round Carabao Cup clash against Aston Villa, scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight. The match marks the first competitive meeting between the two clubs since May 2001.

Coventry have struggled in the Premier League this season, losing all four of their top-flight fixtures so far. Their sole victory came in the earlier round of the Carabao Cup against League One side Plymouth Argyle in August. Lampard suggested that the cup tie represents an opportunity to provide playing time to squad members eager to prove themselves and help build momentum for the club.

“It’s a game we certainly want to win,” Lampard said. Acknowledging the criticism managers sometimes face for rotating their lineups in cup competitions, he emphasized the importance of granting chances to players who have been training well and pushing for inclusion. “We will try and strike the balance between being competitive as we want to be and potential to see some players and show what they can do,” he added.

The Coventry manager also recognized the significance of the fixture for supporters. “I’m very excited for the occasion. I know this is not a Premier League fixture, but it is a game the Coventry fans hold dear, not having too many of these over the years, so it’s not lost on me,” Lampard stated.

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.