Crewe Alexandra face Aston Villa Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening, aiming to break a sequence of five consecutive draws in all competitions. The Group North 2 fixture at the Alexandra Stadium kicks off at 6pm UTC, with Lee Bell's side looking to build on an unbeaten run that has them ninth in the League Two table on 11 points.
Recent form
Their last outing was a 1-1 home draw with Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, where Jordan Gibson scored a first-half equaliser. That result followed four other stalemates against Colchester United, York City, Walsall and Port Vale. The team's resilience is clear, but converting one point into three is the next challenge. The team's work in goal minutes stands at 12.
The opposition
Aston Villa's development squad enter the competition with a different rhythm, their last competitive match being a pre-season friendly win over Tamworth in July. The young Villans will provide a fresh tactical test for a Crewe side that has shown solidity, conceding just five goals in seven league games this term.
Team news and context
Bell is expected to rotate his squad for this cup tie, with players like Jack March, who leads the club's scoring charts with 11 goals this season, pushing for a start. The manager has a settled core to choose from, with the backline of Booth, Billington, Offord and Demetriou providing a reliable foundation. A positive result would set Crewe up well for their return to league action away at Rotherham United this Saturday, their next fixture. Check the latest squad availability on our injuries page.
