Brighton selection problem for Villa boss Dean Smith

On the one hand, it offers Dean Smith’s team a chance to quickly lift a mood somewhat soured by the manner of Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal.

On the other, a long-distance midweek away trip deprives the head coach of time on the training ground, which could be used for solving some of the issues which have arisen in the past two Premier League matches.

There is a chance none of the team which started at the Emirates will feature in the starting XI tonight. This is the first of two meetings with Brighton within the next month and it is fair to say the Premier League encounter at Villa Park on October 19 carries greater importance for both teams.

That does not mean to say there should be a shortage of motivation for those selected. Villa’s struggle to get results in the league means places are there to be won.

Conor Hourihane, who netted twice in the 6-1 second round win at Crewe, is likely to start in midfield alongside Henri Lansbury, who set up four of Villa’s goals.

They could be joined by Douglas Luiz, following the Brazil under-23 captain’s surprise omission from the squad at Arsenal.

Luiz, a £15million summer signing from Manchester City, had featured in every one of Villa’s Premier League matches prior to Sunday. Smith’s decision to leave him out of the 18 entirely felt like the head coach sending a message on the standards he expects from his players, not only during games but in training too.

Keinan Davis, another who scored at Crewe, should get another chance up front, with Kortney Hause and Ezri Konsa starting in defence as Bjorn Engels and Tyrone Mings are given the night off. Fit-again Matt Targett should start at left-back and arguably has the most to gain of anyone, having so far been limited to just 43 minutes of playing time due to injury.

Jonathan Kodjia (broken cheekbone) is not expected back until after the international break, while a similar timeline applies to James Chester after the club captain returned to action for the under-23s on Monday night.

Brighton boss Graham Potter is also planning changes with veteran striker Glenn Murray, the Seagulls match-winner in their second round tie against Bristol Rovers, expected to miss out with an ankle injury.

A knee problem is, meanwhile, likely to deprive striker Neal Maupay of a reunion with former boss Smith.

The Frenchman was a summer target for the Villa boss, who he played under at Brentford, before eventually ending up on the south coast in a deal thought to be worth around £20million.

Tonight is only Villa’s second ever trip to the Amex, following a 1-1 draw in the early weeks of Steve Bruce’s reign in November, 2016.

The only previous cup game they have played in Brighton was in January 1955, when an FA Cup third round tie against the Seagulls ended in a 2-2 draw.

If the scores are tied at the end of 90 minutes tonight, the match will go straight to penalties.