Chelsea's bid for domestic cup glory begins tonight and with it comes our latest Blues Bulletin, containing all the key pre-match stats and information you need ahead of kick-off...

Chelsea vs Aston Villa head to head

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cudicini; Geremi, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Bridge; Makelele (Diarra 83); Essien, Lampard (c), Ballack (J Cole 75); Shevchenko (Kalou 75), DrogbaUnused subs: Hilario, Wright-PhillipsManager: Jose MourinhoScorers: Lampard 32, Shevchenko 65, Essien 82, Drogba 84

Aston Villa (4-4-2): Sorensen; Hughes, Mellberg, Laursen (Ridgewell h/t), Bouma; Davis (Baros 70), Petrov, McCann, Barry (c) (Berger 45+1); Angel, AgbonlahorUnused subs: Taylor, OsbourneManager: Martin O’Neill

Chelsea v Aston Villa in the League Cup

1964/65 - Semi-final, first leg - Villa Park - W 3-2Semi-final, second leg - Stamford Bridge - D 1-11998/99 - Third round - Stamford Bridge - W 4-12003/04 - Quarter-final - Villa Park - L 1-22006/07 - Fourth round - Stamford Bridge - W 4-0

Chelsea in numbers

The last team to defeat us at the third round stage was Newcastle in 2010/11 when they beat us 4-3 at Stamford Bridge. Shola Ameobi scored a stoppage-time winner after Nicolas Anelka had equalised from the spot three minutes earlier.

The only other occasions we have been knocked out in the third round since the turn of the century were against Charlton at home on penalties in 2005/06 and Liverpool at Anfield in 2000/01.

Our 14 goals this season have come from 11 different players: Lukaku 4, Alonso 1, T Chalobah 1, Havertz 1, James 1, Kante 1, Kovacic 1, Pulisic 1, Rudiger 1, Thiago Silva 1, Ziyech 1

Chelsea have kept more clean sheets in all competitions (24) than we have conceded goals (18) under Thomas Tuchel.

Aston Villa stats

Last season Premier League - 11th FA Cup - Third roundLeague Cup - Fourth roundTop scorer all competitions - Ollie Watkins 16

Dean Smith’s side are unbeaten on the road in the League Cup since August 2018 when they lost at Burton. They have won five and drawn one since then scoring 22 goals in the process.

Last six seasons in the League Cup

2015/16 - Lost away to Southampton in the fourth round2016/17 - Lost away to Luton in the first round2017/18 - Lost at home to Middlesbrough in the third round2018/19 - Lost away to Burton in the second round2019/20 - Lost to Man City in the final at Wembley2020/21 - Lost at home to Stoke in the fourth round

Second round line up

Tuesday 24 August 2021Barrow 0 Aston Villa 6Team 4-2-3-1 Steer; Guilbert (Lindley 82), Tuanzebe, Hause, Targett; Hourihane (c), Nakamba; Philogene-Bidace, Carney Chukwuemeka (Caleb Chukwuemeka 73), El Ghazi (Ramsey 63); ArcherScorers: Archer 10, 62, 88, El Ghazi 24 pen, 45+2, Guilbert 75

Aston Villa have won three, lost two and drawn one in all competitions this term. They beat unbeaten Everton 3-0 at Villa Park at the weekend.

2021/22 scorers in all competitions

Archer 3, El Ghazi 3, Ings 2, Bailey 1, Buendia 1, Cash 1, Guilbert 1, McGinn 1, own goal 1

Dean Smith’s management record vs Chelsea

Won: 1Drawn: 1Lost: 5

Villa's summer transfer window

Discipline

There are no suspensions. Yellow cards only count in the competition they are received. In the Carabao Cup, two yellow cards will result in a one match suspension. The cut-off point is the quarter-finals, so no player can miss the final through cumulative yellows.

Carabao Cup booking list

Aston Villa: Nakamba 1

Referee

Graham Scott is the official for only his second Blues match since December 2019. He was the ref for our home Premier League 2-0 win against Burnley in January this year.

Fourth round draw

The draw for the fourth round will take place at Potton Bowls Club, Bedfordshire after the completion of Man Utd vs West Ham on Wednesday.