ASTON VILLA v. BURNLEY.

The return League match between the Villa and Burnley clubs was played at Perry Barr. Burnley has the reputation of playing the Villa a capital game on the Wellington Road meadow, and consequently there was a large attendance of spectators, fully, eight thousand being present. The visitors were well represented, and the same remark applies to the Villa. Cox was again seen at full-back, and the only alteration in the forward ranks was the substitution of Hare for Athersmith, whose football has latterly been rather disappointing.

The change was certainly beneficial, for Hare worked indefatigably from start to finish, and at times played brilliantly. From the start it was evident that the Villa ware determined to wipe out the disgrace of their defeat at Burnley. Playing down hill they commenced a hot attack on the Burnley goal, and maintained it almost incessantly until the-whistle's sound announced the arrival of the interval.

It was indeed a most furious assault, and the wonder is that the Burnley goal so long escaped capture. For fully twenty-five minutes it remained intact - an eloquent tribute to the grand defence of the northern club.

At times the struggle in goal was most exciting. Once the defenders were compelled to putt he ball over their own goal line, The five corner-kicks which resulted were each well taken, and the ball was kept bobbing about in front of goal, now on a Villa man's head and then on a Burnley player's head, until at length the defenders would kick it away, and the pent-up excitement of the spectators would be released, and the Burnley men hailed with hearty cheers.

During this time the Villa forwards were playing surprisingly well, and the passing was worthy of their best form. once or twice the visitors' front rank broke away; and exhibited some very clever passing, Hill and McLardie especially deserving mention. Twice their clever play resulted in shots being made at goal, but Hinckley stopped both.

It was after the second of these attempts that the Villa scored. From the goal- kick their five forwards raced down the field, and a judicious pass by Devey enabled Hare to centre the ball well. It came true to Devey, who, without the slightest hesitation, for that would have meant failure, took a swift shot, and the-crowd to their great delight, saw the ball strike against the goal-net.

Having once found their way through the defence, the Villa soon penetrated-it a second time. Again the combination of the forwards was most commendable, and the shot with which Dickson scored, taken as it was from a difficult position, was a most brilliant one, and the crowd were highly delighted and cheered lustily.

But a few minutes remained to play before the interval, and the pressure was kept-up just as hotly as ever. A perfect bombardment of the Burnley goal was witnessed, and the backs and goal-keeper scarcely had-a moment's relief. After the latter had saved very cleverly, the Villa were conceded a corner kick, and the ball being well placed by Hare gave J. Brown the desired opportunity, which he utilised by- scoring the third goal for the Aston Villa, It was a really fine shot, and was deservedly cheered by the spectators.

The interval soon afterwards arrived, and the Villa 'thus' led by three goals to none.

Before going on to criticise the play in the second-portion of the game it should be mentioned that the half-backs on either side had particularly distinguished themselves, and Cowan, as usual, worked splendidly.

On recommencing after the interval the visitors had decidedly the better of play for quite a quarter of an hour. They attacked with a great deal of persistence, but were baffled on every occasion, and then the Villa forwards, who had benefited by their rest, once more treated the spectators to a brilliant' display.

Passing-with bewildering rapidity, they gave their opponents no rest, but it was a long time before they added their fourth point. This success was preceded by a run executed by Hare, which was the titbit, so to speak, of the whole game, Devey passed him the ball smartly, and he went away at full speed towards goal; in quick succession he passed two of his opponents and the goalkeeper, seeing the danger, left his goal and dashed towards him, hoping to check his career. The Villa man, however, eluded his rush, but when he seemed absolutely certain to score, Lang, the back on the other side, dashed up and succeeded in kicking the ball outside.

The crowd cheered as -loudly as though a goal had been scored, and rewarded 'Hare with loud cries of "Well played."

That player, as he usually does, took the corner kick splendidly; but the Villa were beaten back.

They were not kept at bay very long, however, for the ball came to Devey from Hare, and a fine shot completely beat the- goalkeeper.

Another goal soon followed, the Villa centre again scoring from a pass by L. Campbell.

The Burnley forwards now became very aggressive, and were at length rewarded with a goal, a long dropping shot by Hill twisting past Hinchley and going between the posts.

They were not allowed to repeat this performance, and, indeed, were never agin in the hunt.

The Villa had all the best of the play, and before time Devey - scored a sixth goal after the ball bad been- kicked against the goalkeeper by Dickson. The Villa thus gained a decisive victory by - goals to 1