Keinan Davis to start as Dean Smith rings changes for Aston Villa Carabao Cup clash with Wolves

Striker Davis is one of several players set to be drafted into the line-up, as Smith looks to strike a balance between fielding a team strong enough to win the fourth round tie, while also those members of his squad valuable game-time.

Conor Hourihane will also return to midfield after being left out of Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City, while Ezri Konsa should start in defence.

Davis has started both of Villa’s previous Carabao Cup games this season, scoring in the 6-1 second round win at Crewe.

The 21-year-old has also made encouraging cameos off the bench in Villa’s last two Premier League fixtures and Smith has been impressed by the non-league forward’s attitude..

While Wolves are working their way through a hectic schedule, tonight’s match also falls in the middle of a big week for Smith’s team, who host league leadrs Liverpool on Saturday.

The boss said: “There are players who will need to play against Wolves because it’s a big week playing Man City, Wolves and then Liverpool.

“The lads like Conor (Hourihane) who didn’t play on Saturday will play, Keinan (Davis) will play, so we’ll go with a few changes that’s for sure.”

Villa, five-times winners, are hunting a place in the last eight of the competition for the first time in seven seasons.

"We've got a proud history in the competition so it's one we're all looking forward to," added Smith.

"The rivalry has never been a massive one between Villa and Wolves, not like Villa-Birmingham or Villa against West Brom.

"But they're a well-established Premier League team now who looked fantastic last year and who are now trailblazers in Europe."