Blackpool host Aston Villa U21 in a key EFL Trophy Northern Group A fixture at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday evening. The Seasiders sit third in the group with two points, while their opponents are bottom with none. A win for Blackpool would significantly boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
Blackpool currently occupy 20th place in the third tier, having taken just 11 points from their opening 11 matches, a record of three wins and two draws from those games. Their recent form shows one win, one draw and three defeats, including a heavy 4-1 home loss to Mansfield Town last time out on Saturday 24 October. The team has scored 16 goals and conceded 20 in the league this season, leaving them with a goal difference of minus four.
Recent form
That defeat to Mansfield, where Dion Charles scored a consolation, was the latest in a sequence of inconsistent results. It followed a 2-0 victory over Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday 20 October, secured by goals from Karoy Anderson and Dale Taylor. Prior to that, the team suffered a 2-0 loss at Leyton Orient on Saturday 17 October and a 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United on Saturday 10 October, after a 2-2 home draw with Crewe on Tuesday 6 October. In the EFL Trophy, Blackpool lost their opening group match 2-0 to Leyton Orient. Aston Villa's under-21 side drew 3-3 with Fulham's youngsters in their first group outing. The last meeting between these two sides in this competition was a 1-1 draw in December 2024.
Team news
Blackpool's last starting lineup featured Peacock-Farrell in goal, with a defence including Casey and Ashworth. Midfielders like Leighton Clarkson and Josh Bowler provided creativity, while Charles and Taylor led the attack. Aston Villa's youthful side last fielded a team including goalkeeper Wright and forward Woody Burgess. The match kicks off at 7pm local time at Bloomfield Road.
A positive result is important for Blackpool ahead of a tough away trip to face eighth-placed Sheffield Wednesday in League One on Sunday 1 November. The Seasiders will be aiming to use this cup tie as a platform to improve their league standing of 20th, which sees them 14 points adrift of the top spot.
Blackpool defeated Aston Villa U21 3-2 at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, the club confirmed. Zachary Ashworth, Jerry Yates and Jordan Brown scored for the Seasiders, according to official match data. Yates converted a 71st-minute penalty. The result moves Blackpool to second in their EFL Trophy group. The team, which sits 20th in League One, next travels to face Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
