David O'Leary has warned his players that they need to be fully focused ahead of tonight's trip to Wycombe otherwise they could be in line for another big shock.
Villa tumbled out of last season's Carling Cup against lower league opposition after being humbled 3-1 at Burnley.
They didn't learn their lesson, as they were also beaten by the same scoreline at Sheffield United in the FA Cup to leave their season in tatters.
However, O'Leary has sent a caveat out to his troops, guarding against complacency despite their recent record at the Causeway Stadium.
They won a pre-season fixture in July by a twogoal margin and two seasons ago, a Juan Pablo Angel hat-trick ensured Villa wiped away Wycombe at this same stage of the Carling Cup by a 5-0 margin.
Villa reached the semifinal that year before succumbing to Bolton, so the portents are good for another successful run.
And coming on the back of an exhilarating performance against Tottenham at the weekend, Villa's players could be forgiven for thinking that a place in the next round is a foregone conclusion.
Yet Wycombe are unbeaten in League Two this season and in ninegoal Nathan Tyson, possess the league's top scorer.
With Villa missing Kevin Phillips and Gavin McCann through injury, it gives Angel the opportunity to repeat his trick of two years ago, but O'Leary is expecting a difficult evening if his players are below par.
"We should win it if we are right," said O'Leary.
"If we go out with the wrong attitude and think just turning up at the ground will take care of things, then there will be a shock result on the cards.
"We only have to cast our minds back to Burnley last season, which was a very hard game. I think people might have gone up there and thought 'it's only Burnley,' but on the night we were outfought.
"We can't afford to go into a game not having that edge. We've got to be right from the start, no matter who we play, and it's about application, being professional and wanting to do well.
"I'll be asking my players if they want to win this competition.
"Everyone will be saying that on Tuesday and Wednesday, as everyone will think they have a chance.
"You could get Chelsea in the next round and be blown out of the window, but I've won this trophy and the FA Cup a few times and you never know what could happen.
"It would be lovely to look back having reached the final saying that it all started at Wycombe.
"The competition will be rubbished by certain clubs because they have higher agendas, but there are a lot of other clubs who feel this is a good opportunity to get into Europe."
While O'Leary has Phillips and McCann on the sidelines there is better news on Mark Delaney and Eirik Bakke.
The duo will both play for Villa's reserves tonight and if they receive a glowing report from Kevin McDonald, could put themselves in the frame for the trip to Chelsea on Saturday.
Nevertheless, O'Leary doesn't envisage making many changes for tonight's fixture, as, not only does he recognise the importance of a good cup run, but he wants to maintain the continuity following on from their performance against Tottenham.
"I could freshen it up, but we will be playing a full strength side," he reiterated. "Anything we get at Chelsea is going to be a massive bonus so Chelsea is not my concern yet.
"We have more of a chance of beating Wycombe than Chelsea.
"I know on the day, with the principles we have, if we are right, we can pass the ball well, move it around and create chances."
