A goal in each half from Andreas Weimann was enough to secure victory for Villa at the Banks’s Stadium.

The highly-rated Austrian youngster gave another glimpse of his promise with a deserved brace for Martin O’Neill’s men before substitute Alex Nicholls scored a late consolation.

O’Neill named a strong line-up for the clash with first-team regulars Brad Friedel, John Carew and James Collins all included, while Luke Young was the only one of the ‘up-for-sale six’ missing from the XI, meaning a first start of pre-season for Steve Sidwell.

But their evening got off to the worst possible start when Collins’ injury problems resurfaced, although it didn’t knock Villa out of their stride.

They should have taken the lead after just four minutes when the outstanding Marc Albrighton picked out the unmarked Sidwell in the area only for the midfielder’s header to be saved by Walsall goalkeeper Jonny Brain.

Another of Villa’s out-of-favour players, Nicky Shorey, came to their rescue on 12 minutes when he headed Julian Gray’s header off the line with goalkeeper Brad Friedel beaten.

It took an outstanding reaction save from Friedel to deny Troy Deeney when he somehow turned his header, which looked destined for the bottom-left corner, around the post.

Barry Bannan was another who impressed and, after another flash of trickery, crossed to the unmarked John Carew only for the Norway star to fluff his lines.

But the Holte End favourite soon atoned after charging down the left on 26 minutes and crossing to Weimann, who did enough to beat Brain with his header for the opening goal.

Man of the Match Albrighton was a constant menace, as he continued what has been another fine pre-season.

The young wing wizard was the pick of a handful of promising performances from Villa’s young guns – Weimann and Bannan could also depart pleased with their night’s work – and if he continues such form stands a great chance of becoming a more regular fixture next season.

Cuellar should have doubled the advantage shortly after the break, when a corner fell to him at the far post only for the Spaniard to fire past the post.

But the miss did not come close to that which Weimann was guilty of on 62 minutes, when Albrighton’s cross fell to him with the goal gaping just a yard out – the Austrian somehow seeing his shot rebound off the inside of the post and across the goal-line to safety.

While Villa were in control, Walsall always looked capable of a goal and they could count themselves unfortunate when ex-Villa striker Darren Byfield’s header crashed against the woodwork.

Weimann soon made up for his miss by grabbing a second on 66 minutes, when Brain could only palm Albrighton’s fierce shot straight into his path and he lashed in from close range.

But the Saddlers grabbed a deserved goal, their first of pre-season, when substitute Nicholls glanced home Richard Taundry’s teasing cross with his first touch on 75 minutes.

It took a fine clearance off the line from substitute Ciaran Clark to deny Clayton McDonald an equaliser at the death as Villa held on for what was, injury to Collins aside, a pleasing preparation for Benfica and Feyenoord this weekend.

By Brendan McLoughlin