NOTES ON SPORT.

Next Saturday’s match at Perry Barr will be a battle of giants.

Aston Villa still head the list, but their position is assailable by several clubs, and Burnley, who come second, have a capital record with fifteen points from eleven matches.

The Albion, Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers have also to be reckoned with.

The Villa, however, have nine more home matches to play, as against seven out-matches, so they they still have a capital chance of maintaining their present position, despite their defeat of Saturday.

The Blackburn Rovers are a hard lot to beat and we venture to prophecy that very few clubs will come away from Ewood Park with a couple of points to their credit.

The Villa’s career of success received a rude check at Blackburn on Saturday, when they were beaten by the Rovers by two goals to nothing.

It was the first defeat in seven matches, for of those played prior to Saturday four had been won and two drawn. Such a splendid record naturally inspired their supporters with much confidence and it may safely be said that the team has never gone to Blackburn with brighter prospects.

Unfortunately, however, the players were unable to respond to the call made upon them, and certain it is that on the day’s play they deserved to lose. In the first half, when playing against the wind, their forwards lacked combination, and their efforts consequently were easily disposed of by the Rovers’ half backs, who worked splendidly, a remark that also applies to the backs.

Hodgetts was not as good as usual, whilst John Devey did not pass with the certainty that has recently been a marked feature of his centre play.

The team showed improvement in the second half, however, but still, taken as a whole, their display was of a disappointing nature.

Smith, it should be mentioned, made several brilliant runs and his play excited much admiration, whilst Dunning in goal defended grandly.