Di Matteo to make changes against Luton

The former Chelsea and Schalke manager, who was appointed at Villa Park over the summer, saw his new charges go down to a 1-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, stretching their winless run to 14 games after being relegated from the Premier League last term.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Di Matteo said: “We will look at using and utilizing the squad so there will be a few changes for Wednesday.

“It’s a typical cup game where they will be looking for an upset.

“It will be a good atmosphere, under the lights and with the television cameras there. They will want to beat us in front of their own fans.

“They will see that we are a newly relegated team that have lost on the opening day of the season. But, in spite of this, there’s a good feeling in the group.

“We will put the Sheffield Wednesday game to one side. That’s finished now. It’s Luton Town on Wednesday and we are very eager to get that first win under our belt.

“There’s a steel in the dressing room and a determination to do well this season – and we are eager to show this on Wednesday and in the coming games.

“If we win, people will look at it in terms of us just doing our job. That’s all we can do. That’s what we want to do.”

Villa could still call upon the likes of £12m summer signing Ross McCormack if need be, while they also have former Manchester City defender Micah Richards and ex-Bournemouth centre half Tommy Elphick in their ranks.

However, Jones wasn’t fussed by whatever side they bring though, adding: “That doesn’t concern me, I have absolutely nothing to do with what Aston Villa do.

“I’m sure they will want to come here and win the game, and so do we, so whatever team they pick has got nothing to do with me, that’s their decision.

“They’re a Championship club, they were a Premier League club a few months ago and now they’re a Championship club, so they’re bound to have good players.

“You don’t play at that level if you haven’t, so they’ll have threats all over the pitch.

“It’s just how we handle that and how we impose our play on them.

“It’s a great game for us we’re going to look forward to it, and we’re not just going to make up the numbers.

“It’s a nice distraction for us, it’s an opportunity for people to see how we do.”