Well we'll find out tonight as Villa take on their third Championship side in as many years in the Carling Cup third round.
The opponents this time are Cardiff, a tricky outfit with a large vocal following reported to number 6000.
The Bluebirds faithful will be hoping that their team can follow in the footsteps of fellow second tier clubs Leicester and QPR who have eliminated Martin O'Neill's men in the last two years.
Villa have been accused of taking the competition too lightly in the modern era and they have got what they deserved on the last two occasions.
Now, it is time for progress.
With no European football to grace Villa Park this year after the early exit against Rapid Vienna, the Carling Cup is a competition the Claret and Blue should be looking to win.
The top four teams put out under-strength sides and only a handful of premier league clubs actually care about winning the trophy.
With a few favourable draws, you could be in the final and the prospect of some morale boosting silverware looks even more likely when you consider that only five wins are needed to claim the cup.
All of this should be incentive enough for Villa and their boss.
Inevitably a couple of players with knocks will be rested, but there should be no wholesale changes this time round. O'Neill should have learned his lesson and Villa should progress.
But, then again, when are the Villans ever predictable.