Battling it out for a place in the EFL Trophy's last 16, Blackpool and Aston Villa Under-21s will meet at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday.
In the final tie of the northern section's opening knockout round, Villa's youngsters aim to keep the flag flying for Under-21 football.
Match preview
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A 2-2 draw in their final fixture was enough for Blackpool to top Group E last month - after they prevailed in a subsequent penalty shootout - having also finished above Crewe Alexandra and Liverpool Under-21s.
Steve Bruce's side went unbeaten through the group phase, and they will now meet the last youth team standing in this season's competition.
Of course, Blackpool's priority is competing for a playoff place in League One, and recent results have moved them back into contention: they have just recorded three consecutive league wins, following a prior eight-game winless run in England's third tier.
After beating Bristol Rovers and then Shrewsbury Town, they posted a third straight away victory for the first time since 2021 by putting three past Reading without reply at the weekend, when Ashley Fletcher's second-half strike effectively sealed the points.
Now up to 10th in the table, Blackpool's only setback over the past few weeks was an FA Cup exit at the hands of big-spending Birmingham City.
Bruce now meets another of his many former clubs - albeit not the senior side - as he seeks to take the Tangerines one step closer to silverware.
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The final Under-21 team remaining after the group stage, Aston Villa's development squad reached the last 32 by beating Barrow and Fleetwood Town to second place in Group D of the northern section.
Despite suffering a 3-0 defeat in a dead rubber on the final matchday, Josep Gombau's boys squeezed through behind Bolton Wanderers, who they defeated on penalties back in October.
It has been a tough season in Premier League 2, though, as Villa's Young Lions occupy 23rd place in the 26-team standings following Saturday's 4-0 home loss to local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Conceding goals at a rate approaching almost three per game, they have picked up just seven points so far - and only one away from home - so confidence could be low as they head north on Tuesday.
Nonetheless, the potential future stars of a top-flight club now have another chance to tackle full-time professionals in the EFL Trophy, which will provide more valuable experience.
Team News
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Ahead of Saturday's league game against Stevenage, Blackpool boss Steve Bruce is set to rotate his squad in midweek, so recently returned pair Jordan Rhodes and Hayden Coulson could both feature.
The hosts are still without Elkan Baggott, Andy Lyons, CJ Hamilton and Jake Beesley due to injury, with none of the quartet expected back in action until early next year.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa Under-21s will most likely field their strongest XI, as Josep Gombau aims to give more competitive experience to his young squad.
Top scorer Ben Broggio could return to the lineup after being benched against Wolves, while teenage winger Kadan Young - who has played twice for the senior side - should also be involved.
Oliwer Zych, Sam Proctor and Sam Lewis are all vying with Lander Emery - son of Villa manager Unai Emery - to start in goal.
Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Tyrer; Lawrence-Gabriel, Pennington, Ashworth, Husband; Apter, Norburn, Onomah, Coulsen; Fletcher, Rhodes
Aston Villa Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Zych; Rowe, Smith, Swinkels, Patterson; Borland, Alcock; Young, Jimoh-Aloba, Broggio; Moore
We say: Blackpool 3-0 Aston Villa Under-21s
Blackpool are set to face Bradford City in the next round, as Aston Villa Under-21s have been struggling to keep the back door shut this season.
Even a much-changed lineup should sweep Villa's youngsters aside, sealing a place in the EFL Trophy's last 16.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
