Colchester United will host Championship side Aston Villa in the first round of this season's Carabao Cup.

The U's will host Steve Bruce's side at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in August, after the draw was made in Thailand.

All of Colchester's previous meetings with Villa have been in the League Cup.

The last tie between the two sides was a 2-2 draw in 1979 which the U's lost on penalties.

Colchester were beaten 4-0 at Brighton and Hove Albion in the opening round of last season's competition.

A total of 70 EFL clubs were in the draw, which is regionalised to minimise travelling time for supporters. Seedings are decided by the each club’s finishing position in last season’s EFL, with the U's an unseeded team.

The EFL Cup is now known as the Carabao Cup following a three-year sponsorship deal worth £18m.

The agreement with the Thai energy drinks brand replaces the competition's previous sponsor, American credit card provider Capital One.

First-round ties will be played in the week commencing August 7.