Aston Villa on the other played a full strengthh team as they are a week behind us in preparation with the premiership commenceing a week later.
The game itself was a pretty comfortable win for Villa. The first half started with Walsall looking bright and the team doing the majority of the attacking play. However the turning point was in the 21st minute where Craig Pead was caught in possesion which ended in Villa gaining an attack which ended in good play by Gareth Barry who played it to Angel who produced a great shot to leave Andy Oakes with little chance after firing across into the top right from just inside inside the box.
In the 28th Minute a corner was taken by Patrick Berger found Liam Ridgewell whose nearest Walsall man was Mark Kinsella who could do little to stop him heading into the back of the net.
At half time Walsall took all the first team members off barring Andy Oakes in goal and brought on reserves and youth team players. It must be said i was fearing the worst at this point. Three minutes after the restart Villa had a three man attack on the right without a Walsall man in position to stamp out the threat. McCann crossed in for Kevin Phillips to thump home a heaper in front of the large contingent of Villa fans who made the short journey.
The game died out after this as a result of many substitutions.
In all the time the 'Easy' Chant has been sung, this is the first match Walsall have been on the recieving end. In a meaningless friendly where a full strength permiership Villa team are playing a below strength League one side then fine by me i say. A a 3-0 loss isnt actually a terrible result and i would rather us win on Saturday and Tuesday in the matches that matter.
The Villa fans found great amusement with the man with a trolley full of pies running past them, so i feel this must be reported on as one of their most sung chants of the night was 'Sign him up!'. Simple things please simple minds and all!!
Cant wait till Sat 3pm!!!!!!!!!!!