AFC Telford boss Gavin Cowan excited to face Aston Villa’s aces

Telford’s third friendly of pre-season sees the Championship side visit the New Bucks Head (3pm).

The fixture is taking place for the third summer in a row – Villa beat the Bucks 4-0 last year and 2-1 in 2016 – and Cowan’s National League North outfit go into it on the back of 6-0 and 4-0 victories against Ellesmere Rangers and Market Drayton Town respectively.

“I’m expecting big things (from Villa), obviously,” said Cowan.

“It’s almost like a different sport what they play and we have to combat that.

“We have to be realistic. It’s a brilliant exercise for me because, with the greatest respect to Ellesmere and Market Drayton, we were expected to win and have a lot of possession.

“The tables have turned now and perhaps we’re the team that’ll be doing more running and not quite at their standard.

“We’ll approach this slightly differently, we’ll be working on other sections of how we want to play – knowing we’ll go a long time out of possession.”

Villa also have a friendly against Kidderminster Harriers tomorrow and it is expected the squad will be split evenly. They have not said which game boss Steve Bruce will be at.

Telford chief Cowan is hoping for a big turnout for his first game in charge on home soil and added: “I’ve been very vocal about the fact that if the football club is going to be successful, there’s got to be an effort from everyone.

“That’s players, the management team, the people at the club, but more than anything the community.

“When I was a player here, we were always successful as we had that 12th man.

“The people at our football club are reasonable people in the sense that as long as you give everything, they’ll clap you off the field.

“We need that 12th man, we need people coming out.

“And from what I’m hearing, people are keen to come down and support their local football team.

“People want success but it’s a bit of a chicken and egg – they have to come down to see it and support us in every avenue.

“I’m hoping everybody comes out to watch the game, and then many more.”