It may only be the third round of the Capital One Cup, but try telling that to Aston Villa and Birmingham City fans. With an ecclctic mix of anxiety and passion on the terraces - and no doubt a few obligatory explicit-laden hymns - coupled with a high-intensity clash on the pitch, you could mistake every West Midlands derby for a final of sorts. And hopefully this one is no different. I'm Shane and I'll be guiding you through all the action at Villa Park as both Second City rivals renew hostilities aiming to reach the next round. Excited? Me too.

Yep, it's a fixture that has historically thrown up more drama than Diego Costa auditioning for Hamlet, but first we'll need to get some team news out.

ASTON VILLA XI: Guzan; Bacuna, Richards, Lescott, Amavi; Veretout, Clark, Westwood; Agbonlahor, Sinclair, Gestede

BIRMINGHAM XI: Kuszczak; Caddis, Spector, Morrison, Grounds; Gleeson, Kieftenbeld, Davis, Gray; Maghoma, Donaldson

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Bunn; Hutton, Richardson, Ayew, Sachez, Gil, Grealish

BIRMINGHAM SUBS: Legzdins, Robinson, Solomon-Otabar, Lowrey, Shinnie, Toral, Brock Madsen

In the words of an FBI profiler, let's have a good look at the Villans first and I can tell you that Tim Sherwood makes four changes from the 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion. First, Alan Hutton drops out of right-back, which is probably a good thing, while Ciaran Clark replaces Carlos Sanchez in midfield it seems. Odd one. He is joined there by Jordan Veretout, who comes in for Carles Gil. Elsewhere, Jack Grealish is unavailable because there's a rave going down in a chicken factory later, so he is replaced by Gudy Gestede, who spearheads the attack, with Gabby Agbonlahor and Scott Sinclair beside him. Disclaimer: Grealish is not going to a rave at a chicken factory. He's on the bench.

On to Birmingham now and Gary Rowett makes three changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Ipswich. First, Paul Caddis, who replaced Neal Eardley in the first half on Friday, is on from the start today at left-back. In midfield, we've got David Davis replacing David Cotterill, while Jacques Maghoma displaces Andrew Shinnie, who drops to the bench. Clayton Donaldson spearheads the attack once more.

Shall we have a look at some of the more famous incidents this one has thrown up over the past decade or so?

In 2003, Aston Villa's Dion Dublin made the nation jealous when he got the chance to headbutt Robbie Savage in a 2-0 Birmingham City win at Villa Park. They also won the return fixture 3-0 at St Andrew's. He was one of two red-card recipients that day, with the other being Joey Gudjonsson. Those were the days when referees had circular cards. What happened to them?

Here's what Savage - who never lost a Second City Derby - told the Birmingham Mail: "For pure hatred, I don't think I ever experienced a season like 2002-3 when we beat Villa 3-0 at St Andrew's and won the return fixture 2-0. Both games were madness, with people on the pitch and fights breaking out all over the place."

Let's have a quick look at the return fixture and, if we're being honest, nobody can think of the name Peter Enckelman without remembering that quite comical - if you're a neutral fan, and downright hilarious if you're a Birmingham fan - own goal 12 years ago. Need a reminder? Skip to 7:04.

If ever a footballer wanted the ground to open up and swallow him, it's poor Enckleman, isn't it? He probably still has nightmares about it - and especially that fella who rubbed it in his face with a series of certain hand gestures and tapping him on the cheek. Talk about insult to injury.

These two previously met in the 2010-11 edition of the League Cup, with Birmingham winning 2-1 en route to the final, in which they famously beat Arsenal. The shares were spoiled in both league games that season - 0-0 at Villa Park and 1-1 at St Andrew's.

Incidentally, that 1-1 was the last time in which both sides faced each other, well over four and a half years ago now. Is it a case of absence makes the heart grow fonder? Unlikely. Very unlikely. Such is the hostile atmosphere expected, West Midlands Police have warned fans to behave. That'll work.

Here's what Chief Superintendent Steve Graham said: "We're preparing substantial policing operations for the upcoming football derby. The scale of this operations is based on current intelligence and we will deliver a proportionate policing response to the fixtures. We want to ensure that everyone can attend the match safely and enjoy the game. Anyone attending with the sole purpose of causing disorder and violence will be dealt with by our officers and can expect to face prosecution."

Let's hope the both sets of fans strike a balance between singing Kumbaya in unison and throwing seats at each other. Which is more likely?

In the words of your personal trainer, let's examine the form and struggling Premier League side Aston Villa could really do with a win. With just one league victory from six - which came on the first day of the season - and beaten by local rivals West Brom at the weekend, the morale among Sherwood's side must be lower than Kendall Jenner's daily caloric intake. But there is a sense that a win here would spike their confidence and kick-start their season.

In contrast, Birmingham have won three, drawn three and lost one of their five seven Championship outings. Rowett's men are doing okay, and they defended excellently in Friday's 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town. Another solid display and goal-shy Villa could struggle big time.

PREDICTION! Right, we're, like, 17 minutes from kickoff I think (I did foundation Maths) so let's get a prediction wrong. We're backing a 2-1 home victory here. Villa, I think, just need to click. They've got some very tidy players in their ranks and, despite changes, they should have enough.

Let's see what Twitter is saying about this one.

Nice to find someone on the same wavelength as ourselves, though we can't believe the second part of his prediction. We've already spoken about increased security and whatnot.

Prediction tonight. 2-1 Villa with Birmingham fans rioting and the game getting abandoned. #Drama — STEP 2 BIG SAM #AVFC (@PartyAtTheHill) September 22, 2015

Mr Burford is going 4-0. Perhaps a tad optimistic, but who knows! That's the beauty of the League Cup and that's the beauty of derbies. Nobody knows.

@iLukasx100 score prediction ? I'm going 4-0 villa!! UTV

— Fred Burford (@BurfOz_potatoz) September 22, 2015

Not very a cheery prediction, but he's entitled to it. Hopefully he'll be wrong.

Prediction of back pages tomorrow: 'Villa and Birmingham send football back to dark ages' — Samuel James Meakin (@MeakinSamuel) September 22, 2015

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Villa will score one, but Birmingham will score two, according to Tony Valentine.

Even I'm excited for the game tonight 😁. My prediction... Aston Villa 1 Birmingham City 2 — Tony Valentine (@TheOneTonyV) September 22, 2015

You've got five minutes. I'm ready. Are you? Great.

KICKOFF: And we're off. Electric atmosphere here at Villa Park. Villa's mascot, which appears to be a lion instead of a, well, a villain, is pumping up the crowd but I think they're already pumped up pal. Let's go.

We can confirm, as we said, that Ciaran Clark is operating in central midfield. Dodgy? We shall see.

SHOT! Promising opening for big French striker Rudy Gestede, who snatches at his half volley from outside the box and it rolls harmlessly wide. It's a big night for him. He enjoyed a dream debut by scoring the winner at Bournemouth on the opening day of the season, but he's yet to set the world alight.

CLOSE! This isn't far away at all from Jacques Maghoma, who drops the shoulder to beat Amavi on the left-hand side but he drags his right-footed effort just wide of Guzan's far post. The Birmingham bench were already on their feet in celebration.

SHOT! Poor free kick attempt from Demarai Gray as Guzan comfortably holds his floated shot. Lescott had clattered Maghoma in the lead up.

Everything we said pre match is materialising. It has the real fee of a final to it. Both sets of fans and both sets of players certainly up for it. we've got the makings of a cracker.

CLOSE! Superb ball from Westwood to Bacuna, whose first-time pass across the face of goal looks like being slid home by Agbonlahor, but Kuszczak is brave as he smothers it.

Fifteen minutes in then and no clear-cut chances to speak of as of yet. Villa look slightly better but Birmingham have had some threatening opportunities.

Good lord how has Amavi managed this? His cross not only flies over the head of everybody, but it also drops out of a throw-in without bouncing! He's an excellent attacker, is the left-back, but that was dismal. Villa growing well on top.

Westwood's superb corner is headed wide by Micah Richards. Well wide. How wide? So wide that I didn't even bother emboldening something in caps.

BOOKING: Agbonlahor, who's been very quiet, goes into the book for a late challenge on Steve Gleeson.

I'll put this out thee - it's definitely a game that could go to extra time. It really has that feel about it. Would we have that? And even penalties?!

Birmingham haven't done a whole lot in the last 10-15 minutes. Villa have dominated by way of possession, but even they haven't set the world alight in the final third as of yet. I'm not the world's biggest Gabby Agbonlahor fan. I won't lie.

SHOT! Speak of the devil, and he looks awfully unconfident at the moment. He's running at Spector but, instead of taking him on, goes for goal from a near impossible angle and his effort rolls wide.

It's all gone a little slow again in recent minutes. It's a bit of a see-saw game - one minute we're up and the next we're down.

Clark is lucky here as he's robbed by Demarai Gray, who runs at Villa's defence but his reverse ball for Donaldson is useless and Guzan smothers. Ten minutes until the break.

Brum have free kick in a decent position now after Bacuna tugged back Gray. Big moment here. Gleeson will whip this into the box.

It's far too deep from Gleeson as Guzan takes. It's been quite a poor half in terms of quality it has to be said.

SHOT! Sinclair gallops down the right but his eventual shot is well stopped by Kuszczak. Five minutes until the break.

BOOKING:Clark goes into the book for a foul on Caddis, and he'll need to be very, very careful because he's looked dodgy in midfield early doors. It's actually rather ominous and I wouldn't be surprised to see Sherwood throw Sanchez on at the break.

One minute to go. I imagine there'll be little to no added time.

So, bit of a damp squib so far in regards to the football it has to be said. Not much has happened. Magoma drilled narrowly wide for the visitors, while Villa haven't really threatened at all it has to be said. They've been relatively lifeless in all areas. No fluency whatsoever. Gary Rowett will be much the happier of both managers, but there's still 45 minutes to go.

KICKOFF: And we're back - and there's two subs! Jack Grealish and Jordan Ayew displace Agbonlahor, who was injured, and Lescott, who was useless. Let's hope that instills a bit of life in Villa because they were quite poor.

Some of the deliveries have been woeful tonight. Gray whips in another really bad ball from a free kick and Guzan comfortably takes. That's something they need to improve.

Good work from substitute Jordan Ayew as he wins a corner, but Ashley Westwod's corner isn't the best and Birmingham eventually clear. I can see this going to extra time. It's very, very close.

We're only seven minutes into the second half but young Grealish has already made a difference, as a brilliant ball causes panic in the Birmingham box and Sinclair scoops it over.

CHANCE! Best chance of the game. Villa have started really well this half as Ayew whips in a fine ball, but it's slightly behind Sinclair and his header goes wide. Still, it was certainly a chance but perhaps they need Gestede on the end of it.

Gestede has been really poor in this game. Nothing is sticking. On a plus note, Grealish and Ayew have made a huge impact. Grealish is brilliant, isn't he?

No need to tell Jordan Ayew what this game means to Aston Villa. He's just gone through Grounds for a shortcut, and the best part of it from a Villa perspective? It's not even a foul!

This is what we haven't seen yet - a melee! We still haven't seen one, but Ayew and Davis endure a coming together but they settle their grievances like men.

It's been coming folks and it's a superb ball from Amavi, and Gestede, who got the run on Jonathan Grounds, planted a firm header into the corner. Fair play to him. He's been pony for, say, 63 minutes, but he comes up with the goods. Credit to Sherwood for keeping him on.

SUB: Birmingham make their first sub now as Davies is brought off for Arsenal loanee Jon Toral. The Gunner signed him from Barcelona so, you know, he can play a bit!

Grealish really has been superb in this second half. He's made such a massive difference to Villa's urgency and their intensity and if he keeps it up for the rest of the half, he'll be my man of the match. Everybody was useless in the first half. Let's not beat around the bush.

SHOT! Slightly better from Birmingham as Demarai Gray flashes just wide of Brad Guzan's goal. That's their first shot of the half I think.

Superb pressing from Gestede and Sinclair here as they force Birmingham to go back to the goalkeeper, having been deep in Villa's half moments before!

Bizarrely, Villa's momentum has died down significantly since the goal. Birmingham now well on top by way of possesion but they're yet to penetrate.

CHANCE! Oh my word what a big, big miss this could be. Demarai Gray expertly controls a dropping ball before excellently playing Maghoma in one-on-one with Guzan, but his left-footed effort his weak and the Villa stopper makes an easy. Such a poor finish. Fourteen minutes to go.

BOOKING: Moment of brilliance again from Grealish as he makes a mugs of Michael Morrison, who goes into the book for dragging down the youngster as he beared down on City's box.

SAVE! Decent save from Kuszczak, who is at full stretch to keep out Sinclair's free kick. Villa on top now again in recent minutes.

CLOSE! Ayew and Grealish have been superb since coming on, and the duo very nearly force the second goal as Ayew drills a cross-come-shot across the face of goal, but there's too much fizz on it and the 20-year-old can't poke it home.

CHANCE! Super, super run from Ayew again, but he holds up at the byline and lays it off for Veretout, who fizzes a fierce low shot at goal and it only needed a touch from Sinclair, but it goes wide. Seven minutes to go. Villa on top.

SHOT! Disappointing from Solomon Otabar with a really poor shot on what must've been his weaker foot - if it wasn't then his left foot is about as strong as a noodle.

SAVE! Brilliant one-two between the influential subs Grealish and Ayew again, and it's the latter whose forces Kuszczak into a very good save. Two to play.

FOUR MINUTES ADDED ON This one isn't over yet.

Birmingham can't get the ball, which is a big problem.

Sixty seconds to go and Birmingham have the ball, but they lose it again and Villa bring it out. That should be that.

Rudy Gestede is the hero as Aston Villa win 1-0 over their Second City rivals to reach the fourth round of the League Cup! He'll get the headlines, but don't get it twisted - Jack Grealish and Jordan Ayew's arrival at half time flipped this one on its head. They were outstanding. Gestede hit the winner after 62 minutes to snatch the win. Deserved? Probably, in the end, yes. Anywho, that's us. Thanks for joining our live text commentary and we'll see you tomorrow. It's Arsenal and Tottenham, you know! Until then....