Bolton Wanderers will host Aston Villa Under-21s on Tuesday evening in a crucial EFL Trophy Group D match, with both teams aiming to book a spot in the knockout stages. With each side having won their opener 3-2, a victory here would likely guarantee progression to the next round.
Match Preview
Bolton Wanderers
After a slow start to the season, Bolton have improved recently, picking up three straight wins before drawing 2-2 against Shrewsbury Town over the weekend. Ian Evatt’s side showed resilience by coming back from two goals down, but their manager was sent off after the game, reflecting the frustration of not sealing the win.
Currently 13th in League One, Bolton are only two points shy of the playoff places, and the EFL Trophy presents an opportunity to continue building momentum. They opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Barrow, and they will be aiming to stay on top of Group D with another strong performance.
Aston Villa Under-21s
Aston Villa’s U21s also won their opening match 3-2, with Emi Buendia, on his return from injury, scoring twice to help them overcome Fleetwood Town. While Villa’s youthful side has shown some defensive vulnerabilities, they’ve been buoyed by the presence of senior players like Buendia, and now Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are also set to return.
Villa’s youngsters have been inconsistent in Premier League 2, currently sitting 17th, but their focus on player development has allowed prospects to gain valuable experience. The potential inclusion of senior players like Mings and Kamara will be a significant boost for them in this match.
Team News
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton manager Ian Evatt is expected to rotate his squad after a congested schedule. John McAtee and Scott Arfield could be included in the starting XI, while goalkeeper Nathan Baxter is doubtful after picking up an injury, with Luke Southwood set to deputize again. Carlos Mendes Gomes could return to action after resuming full training, offering an additional attacking option.
Predicted Bolton Starting XI:
Southwood; Toal, Santos, Johnston; Dacres-Cogley, Matete, Sheehan, Arfield, Schon; Collins, McAtee
Aston Villa Under-21s
Aston Villa U21s will likely feature a mix of young talents and senior players recovering from injury. Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are expected to start as they continue their rehabilitation. In attack, Ben Broggio and Kobei Moore could feature, with Jamaldeen Jimoh providing creativity in midfield.
Predicted Aston Villa U21 Starting XI:
Proctor; Rowe, Mings, Alcock, Patterson; Broggio, Amundsen-Day, Kamara, Jimoh-Aloba; Moore, Taylor
Prediction
Bolton may find themselves slightly fatigued after a busy run of fixtures, giving Villa’s youthful side, bolstered by the inclusion of Mings and Kamara, a chance to secure a positive result. While Bolton’s experience could still give them the edge, a draw seems a likely outcome in this closely contested match.
Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Aston Villa Under-21s
