The draw for the group stage of the 2018/19 Premier League Cup has been made.
Aston Villa, the holders after beating Swansea City in the final, will begin their defence in Group F against Derby County, Bristol City and first-time qualifiers Plymouth Argyle.
Liverpool meet West Bromwich Albion, Burnley and AFC Bournemouth in Group C.
Competition format
The draw consists of eight four-team groups, with each side playing the others home and away.
The top two from each group progress to the last 16.
All knockout ties are one-off matches to be decided by extra-time, if level after 90 minutes, and then penalties.
Premier League 2 teams from Category One Academies are joined by teams from Categories Two, Three and Four in the competition.
Premier League Cup group stage draw
Group A: Stoke City, Sunderland, Charlton Athletic, Peterborough United
Group B: Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield United
Group C: Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Burnley, AFC Bournemouth
Group D: Norwich City, Leicester City, Exeter City, Nottingham Forest
Group E: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swansea City, Oxford United, Hull City
Group F: Derby County, Aston Villa, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City
Group G: Reading, Fulham, Birmingham City, Colchester United
Group H: Southampton, Newcastle United, Leeds United, Notts County
*Updated on 5 September to reflect PL Cup qualifying results
Premier League Cup qualifiers
Wednesday, 29 August
Notts County 6-0 Newport County
Southend United 1-2 Oxford United
Thursday, 30 August
Bristol Rovers 0-1 Exeter City
Tuesday, 4 September
Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Portsmouth