"Villa will be one of the favourites for the competition, let alone tonight's tie, and I think we go into the game as the underdogs," he says.
"Having said that, we have got home advantage, and like all cup games it is on the night.
"Hopefully we can just pip them, but we are under no illusions and we know that it is going to be very tough.
"They have got goals in their team and a very good record in this competition in recent years.
"We are expecting nothing but a difficult game but hopefully an outcome in our favour at the end of it.
"It is a massive test for all our players against a very good academy outfit.
"We are looking for players to rise to that and put on a good performance to show what good players we are."
As for injuries, Tony says:
"Obviously we have got long term problems with Mitchell Cole and Tommy Laws who have been unavailable.
"Mark Noble is struggling with an illness so we are not sure about him until immediately before kick-off, and Jemel Henry, a full back who has played in all the rounds, is out.
"So there is a bit of reshuffling to do, but I am confident we can give a good performance.
"We are not going to sit there and see what they throw at us.
"Knowing Villa they will have a go at us too, so I would expect the game to flow from end to end - and I would expect goals."