Ray Graydon hails 'special' Walsall FC on 125th anniversary

The former Walsall boss and Villa winger was afforded a standing ovation at half-time of the

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Villa were Walsall's first opponents in 1888, drawing 0-0, and the club invited stars from the past including ex-claret and blues captain and Saddlers boss Chris Nicholl.

Graydon guided Walsall to a shock promotion in 1999 and then led them to an epic 3-2 play-off final win over Reading in 2001 to clinch an immediate return to the First Division.

And the 66-year-old admitted he was emotional and the club deserves every success in its landmark year.

"The club is very special to me," said Graydon, who scored the winner when Villa beat Norwich 1-0 to claim the League Cup in 1975.

"It's a special place and a special corner of the world. I had some of the best times of my life here – and some of the most awkward – because that's what's being a manager is like. I can't believe the reception – they've all got better memories than I've got. I feel embarrassed almost they still say 'thank you' to me.

"My wife and I love being here. One of the first things we did when we moved was to go to Bloxwich to live because we were training at Lilleshall and it was convenient.

"I couldn't step outside the house without someone telling me what was going wrong with my team – and sometimes what was going right with it.

"Most of it was fantastic and the rest of it was very good. The club is brilliant and I hope they get everything they want."

Fabian Delph, Gabby Agbonlahor, Christian Benteke, Jack Grealish and Gary Gardner netted in Villa's victory.

Nicholl added: "It's fantastic for the club, it's great to see Villa come."