COUNTY 5 ASTON VILLA U21 2

JUSTIN Edinburgh revealed that a half-time dressing down inspired his team to a morale-boosting 5-2 win over the Aston Villa under-21 side yesterday.

Two goals apiece from Christian Jolley and Lee Minshull and one from substitute Andrew Hughes saw Newport County AFC turn around a 2-1 half-time deficit after the break.

But Edinburgh was more concerned with his team’s performance just six days before the big League Two opener against Accrington Stanley at Rodney Parade.

“The result is irrelevant. I didn’t think we did ourselves any credit first half,” said the Exiles boss.

“We were below the standards we’ve set since I’ve been here.

“I was disappointed with the players at half time and let them know but the response I got was good.

“We were a little bit off the pace and played safe first half but second half we dominated the game and got some good goals.”

Having watched his side complete an unbeaten pre-season campaign, Edinburgh believes they are ready for the real action to begin.

“I’m extremely pleased with pre-season, we’ve done very well and I think we’re in good shape going into the first league game,” he added.

“Winning games breeds confidence and this group of players is ready. They are fit and ready to go.

“I’ve got a difficult task this week to pick a team for the Accrington match. We have 21 players who all expect to start on Saturday.

“It’s going to be tough but I’d rather have competition than have the team pick itself.”

Edinburgh admitted he was disappointed not to see some of Villa’s Premier League stars in Newport but believes that the game was a worthwhile exercise for his side.

“I think a lot of their players have an exciting future,” he said of the Villa youngsters.

“They gave us a real good test and they made us work hard.

“We were told it was going to be the first team but it is good to see a Villa team play at Rodney Parade, whatever their age.

“We are not going to come up against players with that kind of movement every week so it was a valuable experience for us.”