Tonight sees League One loanees: Chris Herd, Tobias Mikaelsson and Zoltan Stieber in action. Simultaneously at Villa Park, the academy players will be preparing for their fifth round F.A. Youth Cup tie at Brunton Park against Carlisle.
Chris Herd and Zoltan Stieber are likely to start against Hartlepool and Northampton respectively, whilst Mikaelsson could find himself back on the bench as Luke Rodgers returns for Vale.
Herd and Stieber have earned glowing reviews during their loan spells and they are both being tipped as Premiership players of the future.
The Villa academy side is very strong and the boys will have to overcome the disappointment of losing to Spurs last Saturday. But, they will be confident against Carlisle as many believe it could be Claret and Blue ribbons on the trophy once again.