Hatters chief relishing Plymouth and Villa clashes

Luton Town boss Nathan Jones is relishing his side's start to the season after the League Two fixtures were announced yesterday, along with the EFL Cup first round draw.
Hatters boss Nathan JonesHatters boss Nathan Jones
Hatters boss Nathan Jones

Hatters will begin their league campaign at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, August 6, with the Pilgrims beaten in the play-offs last season, before entertaining former Premier League side Aston Villa in the cup under the lights at Kenilworth Road during midweek.

Jones told the club’s official website: “It’s a tough start, no doubt about it.

“Plymouth did very well last year and they’ll be looking for a similar sort of season.

“They’ve been in the play-offs for the past two seasons, so they’ll be hopeful of going one better this time.

“They’ll be recruiting well and the players they’ve retained will be determined to impress.

“It’s nice to start with a big game down there, and then in Aston Villa we’ve got the biggest club in the competition at this stage, so it’s a fantastic fixture for the football club.

“It’ll be a big game for them too, with new management and a strong squad looking to bounce back straight away from relegation. They will be a tough outfit for us to face.

“This time last year they were a Premier League side looking to do well at that level, so it’ll be a real test for us and a big night for the club.

“We’ll hope for a big crowd getting right behind us to help produce one of those great cup occasions at Kenilworth Road.

“There are certain matches and dates you look for first; your old clubs, the opening day, the Christmas and New Year fixtures and the game you’ll finish on.

“It’s an exciting time for anyone involved in football, but especially for us at Luton with all that is going on behind the scenes – and then that is heightened by the cup draw coming in the immediate aftermath of finding out the fixtures.”

Hatters’ first home clash in League Two will be against a side Jones knows very well, former club Yeovil Town, before they then entertain Newport County as well.

The Luton chief added: “Yeovil is a big game for me on a personal level, of course, because of my affiliation with the club.

“I know the people down there and have many friends at Huish Park.

“But Newport is equally important. There are no easy matches in League Two and we’ve got to play every club at some point, so we might as well start with a tough set of fixtures.”