AdminÁlvaro Arbeloa has played down the significance of the gap between the two sides ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup meeting, insisting he does not expect the contest to resemble a match between teams from different divisions.
Aston Villa will travel for the tie knowing they face a side that has made an impressive start to the campaign, despite competing outside the Premier League.
Arbeloa is clearly aware of the threat posed by the opposition and has warned that Villa cannot afford to underestimate them.
The visitors’ recent form has caught the attention of the Villa camp, particularly after their emphatic 6-0 victory and another positive result against Southampton.
Speaking ahead of the game, Arbeloa said:
“An away game against a team performing so well. They won 6-0, they beat Southampton also, so we know them. They are a difficult team. For me, they are not a Championship team.”
His comments underline the level of respect Villa have for their opponents and suggest Tuesday’s encounter could be a much closer affair than the league standings might indicate.
With a place in the next round at stake, Arbeloa will expect his players to approach the match with the same intensity they would show against top-flight opposition.
The warning is clear: Villa cannot rely on their Premier League status to carry them through, with the hosts determined to prove they belong on the same stage.
Admin
