NEWPORT County have snapped up former Aston Villa and Walsall striker Neil Davis on a free transfer.

The prolific forward, who's 29 next week, has played for County's Dr Martens Premier League rivals Hednesford Town for the past three seasons until his contract expired in May - and Exiles boss Tim Harris was quick to sign him up on a two-year deal.

Davis played for the Staffordshire club in the Conference for two years before they were relegated in 2001 - and he declared last night: "My aim is to play in the Conference with Newport County."

And Harris likened Davis to ex-County fans' favourite Carl Dale, now retired through injury, in his goal-poaching ability.

Davis is Harris' second close-season capture following Welsh semi-pro attacker Mark Dickeson, who also arrived on a free from League of Wales outfit Llanelli, over the welcome mat at Newport Stadium.

And Davis arrives in South Wales just ten days after Harris sanctioned Martin Paul's move away from County to Dr Martens Premier League new boys Chippenham Town for a "four-figure" sum.

Davis said: "County finished fifth last season and they certainly have the potential and ambition to push for promotion this term.

"Newport is an excellent club and I was well impressed with them. I live in south Birmingham and there is no way I would travel to Newport every week if I didn't think they could get promotion."

Harris insisted: "He will add a new dimension to our attacking options. Neil works hard and is a real goal-poacher."

Davis started his football career at Reddich United before joining Villa in 1991 as an apprentice. He made his first-team debut in their 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in 1996 and made a handful of Premier League appearances.

Davis also appeared in Europe for Villa against Bordeaux, and Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Cup. He joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan during 1998 before signing for Walsall and then Hednesford in 1999.

Davis was at Newport Stadium last night to train with his new teammates, who were together for the first time in a week after a mystery bug swept through the club.

* Pictured: Neil Davies, right, with County boss Tim Harris