It was a disappointing result for the Bluebirds on Saturday when QPR left Cardiff City Stadium with all three points, but Cardiff have a chance to put that behind them on Wednesday when we travel to Villa Park for an exciting Carling Cup tie. Simon Glanville previews a match that every 'City fan will be looking forward to.

Cardiff team news: Stephen McPhail will be missing for the Bluebirds as he serves the second match of his three game ban after being sent off against Reading last week. Ross McCormack, Kelvin Etuhu, Kevin McNaughton and Adam Matthews are on the injury list, while a number of fringe players will be hoping for a chance to shine. Solomon Taiwo is of course cup-tied following the first round visit of D&R.

Aston Villa team news: Emile Heskey is unlikely to be risked by Martin O'Neil on Wednesday night after the England striker picked up an ankle injury in the Villans' last game against Portsmouth. Curtis Davies will definitely be missing after undergoing shoulder surgery, while Nigel Reo-Coker may come back into the fold after being sent home from training last week.

Aston Villa's season so far: They may be flying towards the top of the Premier League table now, but the season didn't start so well for Martin O'Neil's Aston Villa. A shock home loss to Wigan on the opening day was followed up by defeat by Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier.

Villa got their season up and running at Anfield a few days later when they pulled of a fantastic victory over a shell-shocked Liverpool. An own goal from Lucas put the Villans ahead, and Curtis Davies made it two just before the break. Fernando Torres did get one back for the home side, but Ashley converted a penalty 15 minutes from time to secure a great three points.

Villa were then brought back down to Earth by Vienna in their second leg though, when despite winning the home leg 2-1, they exited the competition on the away goals rule.

Fulham were then seen off at Villa Park to earn a first home league win of the season, with Agbonlahor among the scorers. And it was that man Agbonlahor who was again the hero when Birmingham hosted Villa in the first Midlands derby of the season, as he scored the only goal of the game with just five minutes remaining to send the away fans into raptures. Most recently, Portsmouth became the latest side to be on the receiving end of a Villa victory, when Milner and Agbonlahor scored the goals.

Aston Villa last time out: Martin O'Neil's side made it three Premier League wins from four games after seeing off a struggling Portsmouth side at Villa Park. A James Milner penalty set the Villans on their way and the in-form Gabby Agbonlahor added a second before the break, to earn Villa another valuable three points.

Villa: Friedel, Warnock, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Sidwell, Milner, Ashley Young, Petrov, Agbonlahor, Carew, (Heskey 66(Delph 80)).Subs not used: Gardner, Guzan, Delfouneso, Shorey, Beye.

Match Commentary: If you can't make the midlands trip, make sure to join Richard Shepherd and Barrie McAuliffe for full match commentary from Villa Park via Cardiff City Player.

Twitter fan? We will also be Carling Cup Tweeting from Villa Park - and Barrie will be broadcasting all of your Tweets during the match, so check out www.twitter.com/cardiffcitynews and add us today.

Post Match: The match report, reaction and pictures will all be available, plus multi camera highlights, along with interviews on Cardiff City Player - all for less than 10p a day.