Walsall FC v Aston Villa clash tonight marks Saddlers' 125th anniversary
Walsall FC's players were today limbering up for a huge moment in the club's history when they take on Aston Villa and mark the Saddlers' 125th anniversary.
Villa were Walsall's first ever opponents back in April 1888 and some 7,000 football fans, including some star names, are expected to watch the latest clash tonight at Banks's Stadium. Villa will bring a sell-out following of 3,750.
Ray Graydon, who twice got the Saddlers promoted, is the VIP guest at the friendly fixture. Other Saddlers greats present include promotion-winning managers Tommy Coakley and Chris Nicholl and up to 30 ex-players.
But the timing of the fixture, less than 72 hours before the League One curtain raiser with Tranmere Rovers, means Saddlers manager Dean Smith has little option but to field two separate sides in each half.
Watch the Walsall FC open day video above from Monday and click here for the photo gallery Video for Walsall FC by @JonSidaway
"It's a really big game for us and a big game for the club being the 125th anniversary game," he said.
"Walsall's first game was against Villa, so it's a fitting way to mark it.
"It's a little close to the start of the season but we understand Villa and Premier League clubs have a busy schedule and their season does not kick off till later in the month.
"We were pleased they could come. Because it's our 125th anniversary game we felt we had to fit it in."
