Town boss Jones targets EFL Cup upset

With Villa chief Robert Di Matteo confirming he will utilise the squad for the match in front of the Sky TV cameras at Kenilworth Road, Jones is targeting progress to the second round.

He said: “We’ll play a side we feel can get us a result, we’re not resting anyone or anything like that, we’re going to pick a side that we feel can compete with Aston Villa.

“It’s a little bit of a different kind of game, we’ll prepare for it exactly the same way, it’s just not points to play for, but a cup game against a very good side.

“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a good draw for the club, Sky cameras are there are as well which always adds a little bit of an edge, so it’s a nice distraction.”

Hatters can head into the game full of confidence after they way they systematically dismantled Plymouth Argyle 3-0 at Home Park in their League Two opener on Saturday.

Jones said: “There’s a good feeling in the camp, as we’ve just continued on from what we had in pre-seasons.

“The atmosphere and spirit we have is good, results only help that and Saturday was a good result, but we’ve debriefed the game, put that to bed.

“Now we’re moving forward, so feet back on the ground and we’re back focused on Wednesday.

“Yes, it was a good away performance, I’m not going to underplay it or overplay it, we weren’t as fluent as we have been but it was a good away performance.

“We looked strong, looked committed, they worked, they won battles, did a lot of the ugly side very well.

“We kept a clean sheet away from home against a side like Plymouth who are a good side, so it was lots of pleasing things.

“There’s competition in the squad, I had few dilemmas on who to pick and people justified their selection, so I thought it was an excellent all-round performance.”

Hatters have already beaten Championship opposition recently, as they saw off Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1, albeit in a pre-season friendly.

Jones is hoping for an improvement on that display though, adding: “Brighton showed they can hurt you if you don’t defend well against them, don’t do the right things, but I thought we were excellent, especially first half.

“We want that level of performance and again, because we’re now two and a half weeks further down the line than we were then, so we’re looking for an improved performance on Brighton.

“Because if we were a little bit more clinical we’d have probably won that game more than 2-1, so we’re looking for improvements.

“We’ll take heart from a performance against a Championship side, but this will be a totally different game.

“Villa will have to go and handle expectation in the Championship because like Newcastle, they’ve found sides will raise their game because they are the favourites and being favourites, a responsibility comes with that and a pressure.

“But as long as my team turn up and play who we can play, acquit themselves and give a Luton Town performance, I don’t care who we play.”