EVERTON V. ASTON VILLA

At Everton before 15,000 spectators.

Everton were seen to great advantage for the first ten minutes, and their quick and effective passing completely upset the Villa halves and backs, but, fortunately for the Birmingham club, Dunning was in grand form, and kept his goal intact. A brief attack by the Villa caused the home supporters some anxiety for Devey and his right were very smart in their tactics, and before the attack was finished Jardine had to save a splendid shot from Cowan.

Despite the rain, which fell heavily, the play was fast and accurate and on the whole fairly even.

The game was full of exciting incidents, and although Everton could claim a little advantage so far as passing went, the Villa were so true in their shots when they got down that there was nothing lost.

Presently the venue of the game changed to the Everton end, but the home defence was good. Again Everton took up an aggressive attitude, but before the interval the visitors rallied, and play was even.

At half-time there had been nothing scored.

The play for a long time was in the Villa’s half, where Geary shot twice over the bar.

The visitors’ halves played a grand game under severe pressure, and upset the intentions of the home forwards repeatedly.

The defence was so good that Dunning was only once troubled.

A burst away by the Villa right gave the defence breathing time; but they were soon busy again, and from a corner the Villa goal was somewhat luckily saved.

The Villa forwards made two good attempts to gain a foothold in the Everton half, but the good defence of Collins and Howarth prevailed.

Eventually the Villa attacked persistently; but Jardine was only once troubled. Although the play of the forwards was not so correct, the game was always exciting, and after some midfield play Maxwell scored.

The game continued to be keenly fought on both sides, the home forwards attacking with great spirit, and had not Evans and Stokes been in grand form Dunning would have been in difficulty several times,

No further point was, however, made, and the visitors were thus beaten by the narrow majority of 1 goal to 0.