Earlier today, Walsall Football Club played host to near-rivals Aston Villa in the latest pre-season clash ahead of their respective 2015/16 Football League and Premier League campaigns. We were in attendance, and you can see our match report below.
It was the visitors who got the game underway, both sides wearing their new away shirts. It was Villa that had the opening chance of the game, new signing Idrissa Gueye having a shot deflected wide following Robinson's half-cleared cross. The resulting corner came to nothing as Neil Etheridge gathered and the Saddlers stood firm.
At the other end the Saddlers' first attack resulted in a free-kick out wide, former Wolves winger Anthony Forde stepped up to take it, however the danger was easily cleared as Micah Richards rose to head away, both sides looking to attack in the early going.
Both sides looked to pass the ball in midfield; with nearly ten minutes gone Gueye easily beat Adam Chambers for pace in the centre of the park, but his pass fell short of Libor Kozak as Walsall cleared.
Neil Etheridge was called into action after around thirteen minutes, Bacuna found Robinson, who turned his marker and shot at goal, the Saddlers stopper was up to the challenge and easily gathered the ball.
Winger Anthony Forde was involved in a good attack for the Saddlers as Villa's Jordan Amavi was too slow on the ball, the Frenchman recovered to clear as Forde looked to play an advancing Milan Lakovic in on goal.
Bacuna again found space but could only send his shot wide of goal, Walsall trialist Liam Wakefield also produced a good tackle to prevent danger, a good display from the prospective summer signing.
Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood unleashed an effort from distance as space opened up in front of goal, it took a deflection off a Walsall defender and gave the Villains a corner. The resulting flag-kick came to nothing as, once again, the Saddlers stood strong.
The visitors opened the scoring after around twenty-one minutes, a Kozak cross was not dealt with by the Walsall defence allowing Callum Robinson to fire home past Etheridge.
Villa almost made it two-nil soon after as winger Scott Sinclair, who was fed in by the busy Kozak, rounded the charging goalkeeper Etheridge and released a shot on goal, however defender Jason Demetriou recovered and cleared off the line.
As the half ticked on, goalkeeper Jed Steer was called into action following an inviting ball from Forde, which was looking for Tom Bradshaw, the ball was gathered with the Shrewsbury-born striker running in.
Jason Demetriou was again alert to stop Scott Sinclair as the wide-man looked to gut inside, good play from the former Leyton Orient defender.
With just under ten minutes of the half remaining Gueye, who beat Sam Mantom in the middle of the park, had another shot on goal, Neil Etheridge was never in danger as the effort sailed over the bar.
Milan Lalkovic was forced off the ball as he looked to start a Saddlers attack, the Villa midfield was quick to quell the danger.
Villa's Gueye and Robinson combined well to create space in the Saddlers' half, Etheridge got down well to stop Gueye's effort.
With around a minute of the half remaining Walsall got themselves back on level terms as the Saddlers were awarded a free kick thirty yards from goal. Anthony Forde stepped up to take the effort and sent it past goalkeeper Jed Steer, who was wrong footed by a bad deflection off the defensive wall.
At the other end the Saddlers' first attack resulted in a free-kick out wide, former Wolves winger Anthony Forde stepped up to take it, however the danger was easily cleared as Micah Richards rose to head away, both sides looking to attack in the early going.
Both sides looked to pass the ball in midfield; with nearly ten minutes gone Gueye easily beat Adam Chambers for pace in the centre of the park, but his pass fell short of Libor Kozak as Walsall cleared.
Neil Etheridge was called into action after around thirteen minutes, Bacuna found Robinson, who turned his marker and shot at goal, the Saddlers stopper was up to the challenge and easily gathered the ball.
Winger Anthony Forde was involved in a good attack for the Saddlers as Villa's Jordan Amavi was too slow on the ball, the Frenchman recovered to clear as Forde looked to play an advancing Milan Lakovic in on goal.
Bacuna again found space but could only send his shot wide of goal, Walsall trialist Liam Wakefield also produced a good tackle to prevent danger, a good display from the prospective summer signing.
Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood unleashed an effort from distance as space opened up in front of goal, it took a deflection off a Walsall defender and gave the Villains a corner. The resulting flag-kick came to nothing as, once again, the Saddlers stood strong.
The visitors opened the scoring after around twenty-one minutes, a Kozak cross was not dealt with by the Walsall defence allowing Callum Robinson to fire home past Etheridge.
Villa almost made it two-nil soon after as winger Scott Sinclair, who was fed in by the busy Kozak, rounded the charging goalkeeper Etheridge and released a shot on goal, however defender Jason Demetriou recovered and cleared off the line.
As the half ticked on, goalkeeper Jed Steer was called into action following an inviting ball from Forde, which was looking for Tom Bradshaw, the ball was gathered with the Shrewsbury-born striker running in.
Jason Demetriou was again alert to stop Scott Sinclair as the wide-man looked to gut inside, good play from the former Leyton Orient defender.
With just under ten minutes of the half remaining Gueye, who beat Sam Mantom in the middle of the park, had another shot on goal, Neil Etheridge was never in danger as the effort sailed over the bar.
Milan Lalkovic was forced off the ball as he looked to start a Saddlers attack, the Villa midfield was quick to quell the danger.
Villa's Gueye and Robinson combined well to create space in the Saddlers' half, Etheridge got down well to stop Gueye's effort.
With around a minute of the half remaining Walsall got themselves back on level terms as the Saddlers were awarded a free kick thirty yards from goal. Anthony Forde stepped up to take the effort and sent it past goalkeeper Jed Steer, who was wrong footed by a bad deflection off the defensive wall.
HT: WALSALL 1 ASTON VILLA 1
As the Saddlers got the second half underway vice-captain Paul Downing replaced trialist Liam Wakefield, the former Doncaster Rovers apprentice not having the best of matches as he seeks a new club.
With a few minutes of the half gone, Villa's Robinson and Gueye looked to combine in midfield and make space for an advancing Libor Kozak, however the Saddlers recovered to clear the danger.
Last season's top-scorer Tom Bradshaw was clattered into by Villa's former Manchester City defender Micah Richards as the right-back looked to prevent an attack. The resulting free-kick was cleared as the Saddlers failed to make use of the opportunities.
Villa broke down the left wing and had a shot via Bacuna following some good play from Amavi.
Walsall countered and saw a Bradshaw headed effort go wide of goal, good play from Forde down the right wing to create the opening, Bradshaw will feel he could have done better.
The visitors had claims for a penalty turned down as Andy Taylor grabbed hold of Libor Kozak inside the area, referee Stephen Martin wasn't interested in the protests.
Following some good play from Bacuna down the Villa right Callum Robinson sent an effort wide of goal, the youngster should've done better from close range.
Just after the hour mark Villa's Gueye was replaced by Jordan Lyden as Tim Sherwood looked for fresh legs.
Walsall made a trio of changes as Rico Henry, Kieron Morris and Jordan Cook replaced Andy Taylor, Milan Lalkovic and Romaine Sawyers, three pacey changes from the Saddlers with around twenty-five minutes remaining.
As the half went on the Saddlers were guilty of attempting to walk the ball into the net, something that must be addressed soon, they must not be afraid to shoot on goal.
Following near play from Tom Bradshaw, midfielder, and club captain, Adam Chambers had an effort on goal from twenty-five yards, Villa 'keeper Jed Steer was alert to gather the ball.
With fitness in mind, the Saddlers made more changes with Liam Kinsella, Matt Preston, Reece Flanagan and James Baxendale replacing Jason Demetriou, James O'Connor, Adam Chambers and Anthony Forde.
With seventy-nine minutes on the clock Villa swapped goalscorer Callum Robinson for highly-rated Jerrell Sellars, the sides starting to look very different from the ones that started the match.
Walsall's next chance came as striker Tom Bradshaw cut inside from the left and sent a shot wide of goal. Shortly after substitute Kieron Morris also sent an effort wide of target.
As we neared the final five minutes of the game Walsall's Tom Bradshaw was replaced by Amadou Bakayoko and Villa's Jordan Amavi was replaced by Lewis Kinsella, the young prospects getting a run out in the pre-season sun.
With Villa still largely in-charge, substitute Sellars looked to play in Scott Sinclair but his cutback just evaded the wide-man.
As full-time neared Libor Kozak was felled by Matt Preston, who was given a talking to by the referee, and then replaced by Harry McKirdy.
The Saddlers, who improved after the break, will be happy to have held their Premier League opponents to a draw and also to have enjoyed good spells in attack, last season's top-scorer Tom Bradshaw looked lively and keen to roam around for openings.
Smith will also be encouraged by his sides' defensive strength, however Smith still has food-for-thought as trialist Wakefield was replaced at the break, Smith seemingly having seen enough of the former Doncaster Rovers defender.
With a few minutes of the half gone, Villa's Robinson and Gueye looked to combine in midfield and make space for an advancing Libor Kozak, however the Saddlers recovered to clear the danger.
Last season's top-scorer Tom Bradshaw was clattered into by Villa's former Manchester City defender Micah Richards as the right-back looked to prevent an attack. The resulting free-kick was cleared as the Saddlers failed to make use of the opportunities.
Villa broke down the left wing and had a shot via Bacuna following some good play from Amavi.
Walsall countered and saw a Bradshaw headed effort go wide of goal, good play from Forde down the right wing to create the opening, Bradshaw will feel he could have done better.
The visitors had claims for a penalty turned down as Andy Taylor grabbed hold of Libor Kozak inside the area, referee Stephen Martin wasn't interested in the protests.
Following some good play from Bacuna down the Villa right Callum Robinson sent an effort wide of goal, the youngster should've done better from close range.
Just after the hour mark Villa's Gueye was replaced by Jordan Lyden as Tim Sherwood looked for fresh legs.
Walsall made a trio of changes as Rico Henry, Kieron Morris and Jordan Cook replaced Andy Taylor, Milan Lalkovic and Romaine Sawyers, three pacey changes from the Saddlers with around twenty-five minutes remaining.
As the half went on the Saddlers were guilty of attempting to walk the ball into the net, something that must be addressed soon, they must not be afraid to shoot on goal.
Following near play from Tom Bradshaw, midfielder, and club captain, Adam Chambers had an effort on goal from twenty-five yards, Villa 'keeper Jed Steer was alert to gather the ball.
With fitness in mind, the Saddlers made more changes with Liam Kinsella, Matt Preston, Reece Flanagan and James Baxendale replacing Jason Demetriou, James O'Connor, Adam Chambers and Anthony Forde.
With seventy-nine minutes on the clock Villa swapped goalscorer Callum Robinson for highly-rated Jerrell Sellars, the sides starting to look very different from the ones that started the match.
Walsall's next chance came as striker Tom Bradshaw cut inside from the left and sent a shot wide of goal. Shortly after substitute Kieron Morris also sent an effort wide of target.
As we neared the final five minutes of the game Walsall's Tom Bradshaw was replaced by Amadou Bakayoko and Villa's Jordan Amavi was replaced by Lewis Kinsella, the young prospects getting a run out in the pre-season sun.
With Villa still largely in-charge, substitute Sellars looked to play in Scott Sinclair but his cutback just evaded the wide-man.
As full-time neared Libor Kozak was felled by Matt Preston, who was given a talking to by the referee, and then replaced by Harry McKirdy.
The Saddlers, who improved after the break, will be happy to have held their Premier League opponents to a draw and also to have enjoyed good spells in attack, last season's top-scorer Tom Bradshaw looked lively and keen to roam around for openings.
Smith will also be encouraged by his sides' defensive strength, however Smith still has food-for-thought as trialist Wakefield was replaced at the break, Smith seemingly having seen enough of the former Doncaster Rovers defender.
FT: WALSALL 1 ASTON VILLA 1
GOALS: Forde (44') -- Robinson (22')
ATT: 6.606 REF: Mr Stephen Martin (Staffordshire)
ATT: 6.606 REF: Mr Stephen Martin (Staffordshire)