Steve Bruce is expecting another good challenge in the cup ahead of the midweek Vertu Trophy fixture.
The Seasiders welcome Aston Villa U21 to Bloomfield Road on Tuesday evening in the knockout stages, with a place in the last 16 on the line.
"It's another cup tie and we're going to come up against a youthful Aston Villa team that will have a great deal of quality," he said.
"There are some lads in our squad that need to get some game time under their belts, particularly given the busy Christmas period that we have that is coming up.
"We're going to take this seriously. We want to be in the next round and go far in the competition if we can. We're looking forward to the challenge that awaits us."
Aston Villa is a Club Bruce knows well, having spent over two years there as manager, joining them back in 2016.
"It's a great football club and I had two years there when we were in a bit of trouble," he said.
"I look back fondly on my time there. It's a magnificent football club and it is where it should be now, which I'm sure the supporters and everyone connected are all delighted about."