BURNLEY V. ASTON VILLA.

These teams met at Burnley, before 10,000 spectators. The home team losing the toss, faced the incline, and immediately play became fast and furious.

Burnley swarmed round Warner, who saved cleverly. The home side kept up the pressure, and after two or three corners, scored from a scrimmage. Five minutes from the start Aston Villa came away prettily, and from a capital centre by Athersmith, Devey and Hislop should have scored.

Burnley attacked strongly, and from another corner Warner had a hot scrimmage to deal with; but he made a wonderful clearance.

Athersmith forced a corner with a dashing run; hut Stewart headed away, and Bowes almost scored for Burnley.

Place struck the uprights a minute later, and after a warm attack by Dickson and Devey had been cleverly warded off, Hill and Place made a brilliant rush, but the former shot wildly out.

Burnley returned with a vigorous assault, and Warner in saving out of a scrimmage was hurt, and, had to be helped off the field.

Campbell going in goal in his stead.

On resuming, Devey and Hislop darted in, and the latter put in a tall shot, which Hillman just toppled over the bar.

Matthew then scored another for Burnley, and half an hour from the start the Villa made several pretty attempts, and at length Dickson scored from a free kick.

The Villa were now hard pressed. McLardie hit the crossbar, and Campbell performed well in Warner’s place, saving several shots.

The visitors were just making grandly for the goal, when half-time arrived, with the score Burnley 2 goals, Villa 1.

The Villa were still without Warner when the second half opened. Burnley commenced the attack, but Campbell held them at bay.

Nichol grazed the bar, and Bowes headed a few inches wide. Then Campbell neatly picked the ball up right under the bar.

Hodgetts, Devey, and Athersmith put in some brilliant forward play, and Walker was lucky to spoil a fine attempt by Hodgetts.

Again the visitors stormed the home goal but could not break through the defence.

Burnley bore down strongly, but were making poor use of their opportunities.

Campbell fisted out during a warm scrimmage, and was again literally surrounded, but proved equal to the occasion.

Nichol centred well, and Place headed in. Campbell returned, and Place shot a few inches wide. Hodgetts and Devey were as active as bees, but were met with a stone-wall defence.

A rush by the home forwards was cleverly managed, and Nichol landed a third goal, which Campbell had no chance with at all.

A few minutes later Evans, in meeting a shot from Nichol, sent the ball through his own goaL

Devey made a fine sprint up- the centre, only to be unluckily robbed by Lang and after some weak shooting at the other end Devey again shone, but was roughly handled by Lang and Stewart.

The Villa forwards were all working very hard; but with only four men the combination was easily broken up.

Devey was especially smart, and found Matthews, Stewart, and Lang any amount of work.

Burnley made it hot for Evans and Cox, and Campbell was again called upon. A number of corners were forced but nothing came of them. A scrimmage arose right under the bar, but the goal escaped.

Result - Burnley 4, Aston Villa 1.