ASTON VILLA v. DERBY COUNTY.

Played at Perry Barr, Birmingham, before a comparatively small muster.

The visitors won the toss and played down the hill with the wind. The Villa were first to show, and Athersmith distinguished himself with a couple of shots, which, however, failed.

Splendid passing by Derby and forwards and trouble round the home goal. Evans and Campbell worked like Trojans and averted disaster. Derby broke away, and passing to A. Brown, first blood was drawn for Aston Villa with fine shot, which struck the post and glided into the net.

Derby now pressed severely, and had exceeding hard lines in not scoring. Meanwhile the home forwards had occasional bursts, and from a very pretty run Athersmith landed a second goal.

Still, the visitors had the best of the play up to half-time, but could not score, ends being changed with Aston Villa leading by two goals to none.

The second half went all in favour of the home team, after scoring within three minutes of the restart the Villa kept at it, and completely overplayed their opponents, Athersmith, Cowan, and Devey adding goals in succession. Just before time Storer scored for Derby, who were well beaten by six goals to two.