Gavin Cowan reveals what impressed him and frustrated him after Shrewsbury Town’s Villa win

Gavin Cowan hailed a “really good” final pre-season performance from Shrewsbury Town after they defeated Aston Villa’s youngsters.

Isaac Fletcher’s stunning late strike sealed a 3-2 victory for Salop at the Croud Meadow. Town had raced into an early two-goal lead through Josh Davison’s brace before Villa fought back with the help of a bizarre own goal.

Reflecting on Town’s final outing before the competitive campaign begins next week, Cowan was pleased with what he saw, while admitting his side allowed complacency to creep in.

“On the whole, a really good performance from the lads,” he said.

”There were elements there. I think from a mentality perspective, we took our foot off the gas.

“Obviously, we raced into a two-goal lead and I think everyone will probably concur that after half an hour, we were very dominant and looked a little bit way above and beyond what they were.

“But, (there was) a little bit of a mistake and it encouraged them to come into it towards the end of the first half.

“I just don’t think we started very well. I don’t know, fitness-wise, all the numbers are good. Looking back at all the stats and the data, we look good.

“But from a mentality perspective, we got a bit complacent. So we need to be a bit more resolute, a bit more robust mentally, if things aren’t going to go our way.

“I just think today was a little bit pre-season, again, creeping in the brain.

“You know that sometimes it's hard to get out of a certain mindset. I think if that’s a league game today, I think we go on and put our foot on the gas and take full control.”

Town created a number of opportunities during a dominant opening period, but Villa responded after the break and drew level through Ben Broggio’s excellent strike.

However, Salop finished strongly and Fletcher produced a moment of quality late on, curling home from distance via the post to secure victory.

Cowan continued: “You see in the last 25, 30 minutes of the second half, I thought we were totally dominant. We got back to being on the front foot, playing our patterns, getting the numbers right.

“So, yes, I am really pleased with huge elements of the game.”