New Villa boss Gerard Houllier lifted the League Cup twice as manager of Liverpool so clearly knows how to succeed in the knockout format.
However, after winning his first two games in charge at Villa, Houllier's side have slipped and are without a victory in their last three games.
Despite inheriting a team that boasts attacking flair in the shape of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, Villa are without a goal in their last 254 minutes of football - so will be looking to turn the corner in Wedneday's match.
Unlike their opponents, Villa have won the competiton five times and were runners-up last season — when they lost out in the final to Premier League runners-up Manchester United.
First of three crucial away games for the Clarets
Wednesday's fixture at Villa Park is the first of three away games for promotion chasing Burnley. Their next league match is against high-flying QPR on Saturday and they then travel to Norwich for another tricky away tie.
The Clarets' faithful have cause for concern after seeing their side claim just two victories in their last eight Championship matches.
A 4-0 loss to Reading last weekend has left fans nervous about their promotion aspirations and springing a surprise at Villa Park would certainly send them into their next two fixtures with confidence.
Burnley have never won the League Cup but have reached the semi-finals four times in their history — most recently in 2008-09 when they lost to Tottenham.
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are without their captain Stiliyan Petrov for the Carling Cup clash after manager Gerard Houllier revealed the midfielder needs surgery on the knee injury that he picked up against Sunderland. Petrov is expected to be out of action for at least two months.Villa are also without the injured Luke Young and Gabby Agbonlahor - who are both yet to return to full training.
Second choice 'keeper Brad Guzan will almost certainly replace fellow American Brad Friedel in goal, with both Emile Heskey and John Carew expected to feature in a side that will mix youth with experience.
Possible Starting XI: Guzan; Lichaj, Cuellar, Clark, Warnock; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Bannan; A Young; Carew
Burnley
Burnley manager Brian Laws is without centre-half Leon Cort, who is unavailable after his sending off in last weekend's defeat to Reading.Laws could choose to replace Cort with veteran defender Clarke Carlisle who himself returns from suspension.
Other players such as Steven Thompson, Ross Wallace and Brian Easton may also come into the side, as manager Laws has hinted that he will use his squad players for the game at Villa Park.
"We have got a good squad of players and those who have not been in the side will be looking at this as a window of opportunity to go and play," Laws told the club's official website.
Possible Starting XI: Grant; Mears, Fox, Carlisle, Bikey; Alexander, Cork, Elliot; Rodriguez, Iwelumo, Eagles.
Prediction
Aston Villa 3-2 Burnley 
