Cup group involving Blackpool and Wigan Athletic completed after Premier League additions
The final part of the EFL Trophy group stage draw has taken place - with Aston Villa U21s becoming Blackpool’s final first round opponent.
Blackpool have discovered their final EFL Trophy group opponent.
The first part of the draw took place earlier this week, with the first round of the competition due to get underway on the week commencing September 21.
Ian Evatt’s side were placed in Northern Group B alongside fellow third tier outfit Wigan Athletic and Crewe Alexandra from League Two.
Aston Villa U21s will join the EFL trio, with the fates of Premier League development teams now confirmed.
Blackpool were defeated by the Lions’ youngsters back in 2024, with the second round tie being decided by a lengthy penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regular time.
Further fixture details involving dates and venues will be decided in due course.
Here’s the full EFL Trophy draw:
Group A (Northern section): Sheffield Wednesday, Salford City, Accrington Stanley, Sunderland U21.
Group B (Northern section): Blackpool, Wigan Athletic, Crewe Alexandra, Aston Villa U21.
Group C (Northern section): Bradford City, York City, Rotherham United, Newcastle U21.
Group D (Northern section): Mansfield Town, Chesterfield, Port Vale, Manchester City U21.
Group E (Northern section): Stockport County, Tranmere Rovers, Shrewsbury Town, Everton U21.
Group F (Northern section): Burton Albion, Notts County, Grimsby Town, Nottingham Forest U21.
Group G (Northern section): Barnsley, Oldham Athletic, Fleetwood Town, Leeds United U21.
Group H (Northern section): Huddersfield Town, Doncaster Rovers, Rochdale, Liverpool U21.
Group A (Southern section): Oxford United, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Tottenham U21.
Group B (Southern section): Leicester City, Walsall, Stevenage, Fulham U21.
Group C (Southern section): Reading, Bristol Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Chelsea U21.
Group D (Southern section): Luton Town, Peterborough United, Colchester United, Ipswich Town U21.
Group E (Southern section): Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town, Newport County, Crystal Palace U21.
Group F (Southern section): AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, Barnet, Arsenal U21.
Group G (Southern section): Cambridge United, Gillingham, Northampton Town, Brighton & Hove Albion U21.
Group H (Southern section): Bromley, Crawley Town, MK Dons, Brentford U21.