Saddlers swoop to snap up two more

Walsall boss Dean Smith today swooped to add two more new signings to his rebuilt squad.

Former Villa youngster Connor Taylor and Albion's Paul Downing have both signed one-year deals following successful trial spells.

Striker Taylor was signed by Villa from Coventry Sphinx and impressed in both the youth and reserve teams. The 18 year-old, who is from Coventry, had a spell on loan at Tamworth last season.

"Connor is a young lad who has really impressed us since the start of pre-season," said manager Dean Smith. "He's got bags of pace and ability and is a player of real potential.

"We won't be rushing him, we will develop him the right way and hopefully he will step up to the plate for us."

Downing is a 20-year-old defender made it on to the first-team bench for the Baggies and then had a spell on loan at Hereford. He then went on loan to Rotherham United, Shrewsbury Town and Barnet before being released by Albion earlier in the summer.

"Paul is a player I have seen in action on numerous occasions in recent years," added Smith.

"He's had a good schooling at Albion and has really impressed us over the past few weeks. He is a player that we feel we can really develop."