Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar scored the opener as Croatia wrecked England's hopes of reaching Euro 2008. Carson let the ball slip through his reach and has received more than his fair share of criticism since that critical moment.
The Villa stopper has since recovered by keeping clean sheets in away victories at Middlesbrough and Blackburn and his confidence has now been renewed.
However, Kranjcar has also been in fine form since the game at Wembley and recently scored in the Midlands against Villa's rivals Birmingham City.
It will be a meeting of two in-form players at Villa Park on Saturday and Carson will hope to face up to his fears in order to keep Portsmouth at bay.