Colchester United manager Tim Waddington has warned Aston Villa that they will be in for a “tough” encounter when the two teams meet for a League Cup clash in August.
The League Two outfit will host the Midlands giants in the first round of the newly-named Carabao Cup during the week commencing August 7.
Prior to that match, both teams will play their opening league matches in the fourth tier and second tier of English football respectively.
Steve Bruce’s side are favourites to earn promotion from the Championship next season, but they will be looking to avoid an upset against a side that finished second in League Two last term.
Waddington believes the home supporters at the Colchester Community Stadium can make life difficult for the five-time League Cup winners.
“We’re really pleased with the Carabao Cup first-round draw,” Waddington told the Gazette. “It’s a really tough one but you want to be drawn against a big, well-supported club and we have just that.
“Aston Villa have a fabulous heritage and are a strong team – they’re not a team we have played competitively recently.
“We’re going to have to make the Community Stadium a tough place to visit as we did so often last season.”
Last season, Villa suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat at League Two side Luton Town with Roberto Di Matteo in the dugout at that time.
Bruce, who will already be under huge pressure, will be hoping to avoid that scenario which could affect Villa in the forthcoming games.
Villa last reached the final of the League Cup in 2009 when they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United in controversial circumstances.
They last lifted the trophy in 1996 when Brian Little guided Villa to a 3-0 win against Yorkshire giants Leeds.