Peterborough target EFL Trophy 'three-peat' as group draw revealed

Harley Mills of Peterborough United kisses the trophy after the Vertu EFL Trophy Final match between Birmingham City and Peterborough United at WembleyGetty Images

Peterborough United have won the Vertu Trophy in both of the last two years and have three titles altogether

Chris Peddy
BBC Sport England

Vertu Trophy holders Peterborough United have been drawn with Aston Villa U21s, Leyton Orient and Crawley Town in the group stage as they look to claim the cup for the third year in a row and become the first ever four-time winners.

Darren Ferguson's side defeated Wrexham on penalties in last season's semi-final before springing a shock to beat runaway League One champions Birmingham City 2-0 at Wembley.

Posh are currently tied with Bristol City as the most successful teams in the tournament's history with three wins each.

Cardiff City are back in the competition for the first time since 2004 following their relegation from the Championship.

They face an all-Wales tie against Newport County, as well as Exeter City and Arsenal U21s.

Luton Town's consecutive relegations back down to League One from the Championship mean they also compete in the Vertu Trophy after a six-year absence.

The 2008-09 winners will take on National League champions Barnet, Cambridge United and Brighton & Hove Albion U21s.

Oldham Athletic, who returned to the English Football League via the National League play-offs last month, have been drawn against Bolton Wanderers, Rotherham United and Manchester City U21s.

Plymouth will take on Tottenham Hotspur U21, Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town.

The 64 clubs have been split into groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the knockout phase.

A prize of £100,000 is on offer to this year's winners.

Northern section

  • Group A: Salford, Stockport, Wigan, Wolves U21

  • Group B: Barrow, Blackpool, Tranmere, Nottingham Forest U21

  • Group C: Bradford, Doncaster, Grimsby, Everton U21

  • Group D: Barnsley, Lincoln, Notts County, Man Utd U21

  • Group E: Bolton, Oldham, Rotherham, Man City U21

  • Group F: Harrogate, Huddersfield, Mansfield, Newcastle U21

  • Group G: Accrington, Fleetwood, Port Vale, Leeds U21

  • Group H: Burton, Chesterfield, Crewe, Liverpool U21

Southern section

  • Group A: Cardiff, Exeter, Newport, Arsenal U21

  • Group B: Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham, Plymouth, Tottenham Hotspur U21

  • Group C: Northampton, Shrewsbury, Walsall, Chelsea U21

  • Group D: MK Dons, Reading, Swindon, West Ham U21

  • Group E: AFC Wimbledon, Bromley, Stevenage, Crystal Palace U21

  • Group F: Crawley, Leyton Orient, Peterborough, Aston Villa U21

  • Group G: Colchester, Gillingham, Wycombe, Fulham U21

  • Group H: Barnet, Cambridge, Luton, Brighton U21

More on this story