Dean Smith: My Walsall lads matched Villa

Manager Dean Smith felt Walsall were a match for Aston Villa after his side held the Premier League outfit to a 1-1 draw.

An Anthony Forde free-kick on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Callum Robinson's 20th minute opener, in a keenly-contested friendly.

And Smith was pleased with the way his side grew in stature against their illustrious opponents who included the likes of Micah Richards, Idrissa Gueye and Scott Sinclair in their starting line-up.

Smith said: "It was a really good work-out as we knew it would be. Our visitors showed their quality in the first half and we had to chase the ball a lot, but I was pleased with our performance after the break.

"We moved the ball well and when the game opened up, I felt that we were the bigger threat.

"I thought that we were organised when they broke on us and when we went forward, we carried a threat.

"It was a good game played in a good atmosphere, the players have worked hard and showed a great attitude.

"But the main thing is to have everyone ready for the start of the season and we are on schedule to have that."