SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
ASSOCIATION RULES.
THE LEAGUE.-DIVISION I

ASTON VILLA v. EVERTON

This match was played at Perry Barr before about 12,000 spectators. The Villa lost the toss, and J. Devey kicked off uphill. The home team at once attacked, and Williams had to handle on several occasions but a corner was all that was obtained. This was capitally taken by Woolley, but was saved by Williams.

Bell then secured the ball, and, co-operating with Latta, transferred it to the vicinity of the home goal, where Southworth beat Dunning by a low swift shot about fifteen minutes from the start.

This livened the Villa up and for the next five minutes play was continually in the visitors’ goal, but the defence of Everton proved too good to be broken. A fine run was made by Elliott, but Dunning saved by fisting the ball outside, and half-time arrived without any alteration in the state of the game.

On resuming, Everton started off with a rush, and when a goal seemed certain McMillan kicked outside.

From the goal - kick Hodgetts and Woolley exhibited some skill, passing and bringing the leather into the visitors’ goal, where a corner was conceded. This was well taken by Hodgetts, and Woolley put in a smart shot which equalised.

Two minutes later he scored again from a pass by Hodgetts.

The game now became very even, both teams doing their utmost, but the Villa soon pulled up to the front again, Athersmith scoring a third point from a centre by Woolley.

A regular fusillade of shots were now showered in upon Williams, but he defended splendidly, and prevented further score. The Villa thus won by 3 goals to 1.

Aston Villa: Dunning, goal; Baird and Welford, backs; Gillan, Cowan, and Reynolds, half-backs; Hodgetts and Woolley (left), W. Devey (centre), J. Devey and Athersmith (right Wing), forwards,

Everton: Williams, goal ; Kelso and Howarth, backs; Boyle, Walker, and Stewart, half-backs ; Latta and Bell (right), Southworth (centre), Elliott and McMillan (left wing), forwards.
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*The Birmingham Daily Post*
Monday 25 September 1893

NOTES ON SPORT.

So the Groves case is settled at last, and peace and goodwill reign once more between the Villa and the Albion. But what about Albion and Everton - will they satisfactorily arrange matters?

The settlement of the case, of which everyone was getting heartily sick, was due to the intervention of Mr. W. McGregor. Feeling that Everton held the key to the position he went over to Liverpool, and had a couple of interviews with the Everton representative.

The result was that during the week the Villa received a telegram saying that Everton were willing to waive their claim to Groves for a certain sum, we believe it was something like a hundred pounds.

The Albion were shown this telegram, and seeing that Everton apparently did not want Groves, they thought they might as well make as good a bargain as they could, and therefore gave the Villa his transfer.

What the sum paid was we do not know, but it is rumoured as being of three figures. If it does amount to over a hundred it will not hurt the Villa and will do the Albion a great deal of good, coming as it does at a time when the exchequer is sorely in need of it.

It should be mentioned that the agreement regarding the transfer of Groves leaves the Albion and Everton clubs to settle the question of expenses between themselves.

Aston Villa easily turned the tables upon Everton, winning at Perry Barr by three goals to one.

Concerning the Villa and Everton match there cannot be two opinions. The Villa were distinctly the better eleven, and thoroughly deserved their victory.

In the first half there was some beautiful passing between the forwards, but the old Villa fault was manifest- namely, hesitancy in front of goal, and several good chances were missed.

Indeed, with the exception of two by Hodgetts, the shots sent into the Everton goal lacked sting, and it was through weak shooting that the Villa crossed over a goal behind.

After the interval, however, there was a welcome change in the Villa tactics, and the forwards, well supported by the half-backs, played in dashing style.

They went for goal in a manner which fairly electrified the crowd, and which proved irresistible.

Although the Everton backs were on grand form, and Williams was as safe as any goal-keeper could be, two goals were soon scored, a third came very shortly after, whilst before time W. Devey put the ball through again; but, although this appeared to be the best goal of the game, it was disallowed;

There was no gallery play about the Villa. Every man strove for his side, and the result was a brilliant victory.

The best wing of the Villa, and indeed, on the field, was the left. Woolley was in brilliant form, and had no small share in the victory, inasmuch as he scored two goals, and it was from his centre that the third was obtained. He owes, however, a great deal to Hodgetts, who played as well as he has ever played, and protected and fed his little partner with commendable care and unselfishness.

John Devey did very well despite the fact that he strained his leg early in the game, whilst W. Devey improved immensely towards the finish.

The weak spot in the forward rank was Athersmith who, unlike Woolley, made but little ground with the ball, and failed to treat the spectators to the brilliant runs which they have been taught to expect from him.

The half-backs played finely, Gillan making a most promising debut; but Reynolds was the pick of the three, and his well-judged passing to the left wing had not a little to do with the Villa success.

Welford and Baird were an excellent pair of backs, whilst Dunning stopped every shot which it was possible to stop.

Everton played a very good game, and Latta and Bell were the best wing, the inside man acquitting himself admirably. Southworth was too closely attended by Cowan and Welford to be frequently dangerous, but it was a grand shot with which he scored Everton’s only point. The half-backs and backs played a sound and correct game, whilst Williams was a brilliant custodian. Altogether, Everton made a creditable display, but they met a team that on the day were their superiors.