Nigel Reo-Coker skippered an Aston Villa side taking on Walsall at the Banks’ Stadium, one that featured Scottish midfielder Barry Bannan - the youngster starting his third game in four days, having faced Bohemians on Saturday and taken part in an Aston Villa XI friendly clash against Chasetown on Monday evening.

Carlos Cuellar replaced James Collins just 10 minutes into the game following an injury to the Welsh defender, moments before Steve Sidwell’s headed attempt from an Marc Albrighton cross was wonderfully saved by Jonny Brain.

Walsall’s first moment of attacking intent came after 22 minutes when Julian Gray’s left-wing cross was headed at goal by Troy Deeney, but Brad Friedel was quick to the make the save, tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Scottish youngster Bannan tried his luck from 30-yards out, his shot flying harmlessly wide of the right-hand post, but Andreas Weimann had more fortune minutes later when he slammed home a diving header after 25 minutes from a John Carew cross.

Villa’s younger talent continued to terrorise the Walsall defence, and the 5,735 in attendance saw Villa double their lead when Weimann was once again on hand to convert a rebound when Brain parried an Albrighton shot after 67 minutes.

Walsall midfielder Alex Nicholls pulled one back for the home side with 15 minutes remaining, but the Premier League side held out to achieve their second win of the pre-season campaign.

Aston Villa: Friedel; Beye, Collins, Davies, Shorey; Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Bannan; Carew, Weimann.