NEWPORT County AFC will today unveil their pre-season fixture list which includes eye-catching clashes with Aston Villa and Reading.

The Exiles will play seven times in total against a cross section of opponents, including an Aston Villa first team on Sunday, July 28.

That game is the only clash scheduled for Rodney Parade as County give the new playing surface at their home ground as much time as possible to bed-in following a £100,000 revamp this summer.

However, Newport will still ideally entertain recently relegated Reading in the city, the clash with the Royals likely to be played at County’s old home of Spytty Park (Newport Stadium) on Tuesday, July 23, although that will be against a select XI.

County’s schedule gets under way on Wednesday, July 10, with a visit to Swindon Supermarine, the Southern League, South and West outfit.

It’s then off to Germany for Newport’s true glamour tie of the summer, the Exiles invited guests of Carl Zeiss Jena, their European Cup Winners’ Cup foes from 1981, for a friendly as part of the hosts’ 110th anniversary celebrations.

Newport return the following day and will visit Taunton Town on Tuesday, July 16.

On Saturday, July 20, the Exiles will prepare for the most glamorous trip in League Two, to Portsmouth and Fratton Park, with a visit to Pompey’s closest neighbours and Newport’s former Conference South rivals, Havant and Waterlooville.

The visit from Reading follows on July 23 and on Thursday, July 25, a Newport County AFC select XI will visit Hereford Pegasus.

Director of football Tim Harris believes the list should provide a perfect examination of the Exiles before they resume life as a Football League club for the first time since the late 1980s.

“We are very happy with the way our pre-season is looking, in particular there are two fantastic games for our fans to look forward to,” he told the Argus.

“It is our honour and our privilege to travel to Germany to renew our friendship and rivalry with Carl Zeiss Jena as their guests for their celebration.

“And just six days before we kick-off our Football League campaign we get to host a massive club like Aston Villa, which will be a splendid test.”

The fixture with Villa was arranged in conjunction with kit suppliers Macron, who have a partnership with both the Villains and the Exiles.

Full fixture list (kick-offs TBC)

Wednesday, July 10: Swindon Supermarine (away);

Saturday, July 13: Carl Zeiss Jena (away);

Tuesday, July 16: Taunton Town (away);

Saturday, July 20: Havant and Waterlooville (away);

Tuesday, July 23: Reading XI (neutral, probably Spytty Park);

Thursday, July 25: Hereford Pegasus (away, County select XI only);

Sunday, July 28: Aston Villa (home).

  • The Exiles are close to announcing details of their new shirt sponsorship.

An announcement is expected early next week after the Exiles’ 14-year association with recruitment firm Acorn came to an end.

Newport’s elevation to the Football League is understood to have been a big factor in negotiations, with the club said to be delighted with the outcome.

  • Newport are also advertising for a community officer and a full-time football secretary. Details are on the official club website.