Walsall continued their build up to the new season with two games against Premiership opposition at the Banks's Stadium against near neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa. The partnership up front of Jon Macken and Will Grigg is starting to blossom and the fact that they were both on the scoresheet against Wolves demonstrated this with a goal apiece.
Walsall played well in the first half and it was therefore a pity when our visitors scored with their firs attack. Walsall levelled however with a quite stunning shot from Jon Macken from about 25 yards out. Wolves regained their lead however Will Grigg slotted home to haves his team going in all square at the break. Both team made substancial changes in the second half in which Bora stole it for the Wolves.
Aston Villa proved too much for the Saddlers has they raced into a 3-0 half time lead. As early as the 8th minute a defence splitting pass caused problems and Darren Bent fired home. On 36 minutes the same England striker headed home and just three minutes later Emile Heskey made it three.
After half time both teams made changes and George Bowerman, who had come on as a sub, got a consolation goal for Saddlers. Manager Dean Smith was rightly not getting downhill over these two defeats pointing out it was all about fitness at this stage.
