Williams 'buzzing' with Baggies debut despite loss

West Brom defender Alex Williams said he was "buzzing" to make his debut for the Baggies in their Carabao Cup exit to Derby County.

The Rams won 3-2 on penalties after Joe Ward's stoppage-time leveller at The Hawthorns, with Aune Heggebo putting the hosts in front.

Williams, a Wales Under-21 international right-back, said he was pleased to play despite the result, having been told just four hours before kick-off.

"I found out I was starting in the meeting before the game," he told BBC Radio WM.

"It was a mixture of nerves and excitement. I was in game mode, but I was told four hours before the game. It doesn't give you a lot of time to get nervous.

"You are so focussed and I took the positive energy from the crowd and put it in my performance.

"It is a good mix, but wanting to get on the ball helped me."

Williams spent time on loan at non-league seventh-tier side Stratford Town last season and is hoping for more senior opportunities in the coming weeks.

"You get experience from everywhere," he added.

"That helped me in terms of physicality; having pre-season with the first team helped me get up to speed so I was waiting for an opportunity. When I heard I was starting, I was buzzing.

"Hopefully I get more opportunities."