SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.
Aston Villa v. Derby County.

Played at Perry Barr. There were about 7,000 spectators, for an interesting and exciting match was anticipated on account of the good form that has been displayed by the County this season. They having been materially strengthened by the brothers Goodall and have so far been very successful, having won two out of the five league matches played previous to Saturday - namely, those against the Notts County and the West Bromwich Albion whom they defeated 2 goals to 0 and 3 goals to 1 respectively. Then on Saturday week the County drew with Everton (the leading club in the league), thus showing that they were opponents who were not to be held too cheaply.

Their defeat on Saturday by the Villa must have as much surprised them as it undoubtedly did those who saw the match. That the Villa would win was generally conceded, but that it would be by so large a majority as 7 goals to 1 not even the most ardent supporter of home team ever dreamt.

The result was due to no lack of effort on the part the visitors, but was simply the result of the brilliant all-round play of the Villa In the first half, especially their forwards who were simply irresistible. They passed with great precision, and their shooting was a treat to witness. They showed none of their former hesitancy when near goal, but every chance was taken, and the ball was put through six times, but one point was disallowed.

The Villa half-back play was, however, the great feature of the game. The Derby forwards, smart and clever though they undoubtedly are, could not make headway against them, and their combination was broken and scattered. J. Goodall, the clever centre forward, worked very hard, but found Cowan - than whom there is no better half-back in the country - a constant bar to his progress, and was unable to put in those grand shots which are the feature of his play.

The Villa men, it must be allowed, never played much better than they did on Saturday, and the spectators were highly delighted. Given that the Villa maintain Saturday's form up to the end the season, they should make a bold bid for the English cup.

Playing downhill, the County won the first to attack, and a fine pass from John Goodall to his brother enabled that player to send in a beautiful shot, which Warner lifted over the bar. The corner was unfruitful.

Led by J. Goodall, who fed his wings beautifully, the county again came to the attack, and Warner saved twice in a marvellous fashion.

It was now the Villa's turn, and the forwards carried the ball well down the field, but Hodgetts missed a rare chance of scoring.

A few moments only had elapsed, however, when Hodgetts screwed the ball nicely across the goal, and Allen, with a stinging shot, scored amidst loud cheering.

Hardly had the ball been kicked, ere it was taken to the County's goal. Brown centred, and the ball came to Allen, to be sent like a flash of lightning past Bromage. It was a splendid goal, and was deservedly applauded.

Desperately did the Derby men try to score, but all their efforts availed them nothing, whereas before the game was thirty minutes old Dixon headed a third point for the home team.

The County forwards, who were playing a showy but ineffectual game, once again became dangerous, but Cooper shot wildly over the bar. The forward play of the Villa was, on the other hand, very deadly, for after Allen had scored an off-side goal Dickson headed a fourth. Cooper having failed to clear the ball away after Hunter had shot it in.

The County men made some pretty runs, but could never break down the defence, which was beyond criticism; whilst a minute so before the interval Allen scored still another goal, and the County changed over five goals to the bad.

The County played very pluckily at the commencement of the second half, and were a frequent source of trouble to Cox and Aldridge. Bakewell at length obtained an opening, and did his best score, but the ball went just too high. Then Goodall came bursting through the half-backs and backs and made a grand try for goal, but the ball was a little too squarely aimed, and, after passing across the front, it went outside.

The Villa forwards, who had apparently been taking a short and well-earned rest, again played up vigorously, and the visitors' goal was subjected to a continual bombardment.

Shots were aimed at the goal with bewildering rapidity, but Bromage defended well, and for a time was invincible. He stopped every shot possible for a man stop, but failed reach one sent in by Hodgetts.

The Villa scored a seventh soon after, whilst a couple of minutes before time the visitors made their only goal.