The fixtures for the 2017/18 Premier League Cup have been released with the competition due to start on 29 September with a West Midlands derby among the ties.
The 32 teams are split into eight groups of four clubs, with each team playing their opposing clubs home and away.
Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion is one of nine fixtures slated for 29 September.
Charlton Athletic, one of 16 teams outside the Category One clubs to feature, face a tough opener at home to Liverpool, who have enjoyed a 100% start in Premier League 2 Division 1.
The group stages are set to finish at the end of February, when the top two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage.
Here each match will be one-off knockout ties. If the ties are level after 90 minutes, they go to extra-time and then penalties if the teams still can't be separated.
Swansea City are the cup holders.