WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS V. ASTON VILLA.

The first meeting of the Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Aston Villa team in League contest this season took place at Wolverhampton on Saturday, and the interest in the game was intensified by the fact that the two combinations faced each other at Perry Barr in the first round of ties for the English Cup.

Both clubs were strongly represented, the only two absentees being Baugh from the Wolves and Hare from the Villa teams. The weather was delightfully fine, and the spectators numbered about 10,000.

From the kick-off Wykes ran down and caused Dunning to save, and then Brown and Athersmith had shots at the other end, while Swift with a long shot dropped the ball into Dunning’s hands. Pressure was transferred to the other half, where Groves had an easy free kick, but shot out.

The game was carried on at a fast pace, the Villa putting in some fine passing work, and getting dangerous time alter time; but the Wolverhampton defence was very fine, and Rose saved grandly.

After nineteen minutes play the Wolves got down, and after some clever work on the right, the ball was passed to Butcher, who scored.

Some splendid work was afterwards put in by the Villa men, who got several corners, but could not convert them.

Rose saving grandly, but at times the shooting of the visitors was very erratic.

Half-time arrived with the score—Wanderers, one; Villa, none.

The pace continued to be very fast in the second half, both goals being hotly attacked. Most determined efforts were made by the Villa to draw level, but from a penalty kick given the Wolves Owen registered the second point, and another foul to the Wanderers enabled Butcher to head the ball through, the game ending in favour tho Wolves three goals to none.
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*The Birmingham Daily Post*
Monday 25 December 1893
NOTES ON SPORT.

The Villa have been playing with such consistency of late that it is a new experience to write about a defeat.

Since they were beaten by the Blackburn Rovers the Perry Barr team have not lost a League match. Sunderland, Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday, and Newton Heath have in turn succumbed to their skill, and, as showing the excellence of their attack and defence, it may be mentioned that against the opponents named, three of whom have been away from home, the Villa possess the splendid record of fourteen goals to two.

Saturday, however, has spoiled that record, for the Villa were defeated pointless at Wolverhampton.

Whilst their own goal was captured three times, it must not be imagined that the Wanderers gained such an easy victory as the score would seem to indicate. They certainly deserved to win, but a goal to nothing would have better represented the difference between the teams. That, indeed, seemed likely to be the result of the match. It was the score eight minutes from the end, and the Wanderers seemed perfectly contented, that it should remain so, for they had withdrawn a forward to the assistance of the backs with the evident determination to preserve their own goal from downfall.

At this point, however, their forwards made a dash into the Villa territory, and a penalty-kick was awarded them, from which Owen scored.

This reverse disheartened the Villa, for it made their task hopeless, whilst on the contrary, it gave the Wanderers fresh courage, and they made a series of dashing attacks, during which Welford unfortunately headed the ball through his own goal.

The referee gave the penalty-kick against Baird for tripping Butcher, and it must be admitted that from a distance it appeared as though the Villa back was guilty of the offences for which his side was penalised.

Those who were near the Villa goal say, however, that Baird fairly charged Butcher down, and it is pointed out that there was no necessity to trip the man, for Dunning at the time had got the ball safely. If it was not a trip, then it was a very unfortunate decision for the Villa, for late though it was they might have succeeded in drawing.

That the better team, on the day’s play, won is the general opinion of those who saw the game. The Wanderers played with great dash and determination, and whenever there was a chance of getting the ball they made the most of it. There was no hesitancy about them, and they generally managed to. get it. Their tactics seemed to upset the Villa players, whose exhibition was much below that which might naturally have been expected from them.

The team never seemed to get together, and early in the second half, when a little dash might have given them the victory, they constantly got out of position and impeded each other’s movements.

The play in front of goal was miserably weak, the forwards putting in shots which lacked sting, whilst the half-backs, when they tried, generally sent the ball yards too high. Had the shooting been as good as usual in the first half they might easily have - crossed over with a couple of goals to their advantage, inasmuch as two splendid chances were missed. However, they did not take their opportunities, whilst the Wanderers did, which was just the difference between victors and vanquished.

In extenuation of the the Villa’s indifferent display it should be mentioned that early in the second half Hodgetts was kicked on the thigh and was practically useless during the remainder of the game, if the Villa wish to win the English Cup a tie at Perry Barr on the 27th proximo they will have to show a distinct improvement on Saturday’s display.

There were several men in the Villa team who worked with might and main to save their side from defeat. Cowan, for instance, played untiringly and with his usual dogged pluck, whilst Reynolds never flagged.

It would be unfair not to say that every man in the Villa tried, for try they did; but they did not play with their usual coolness, and the combination which has been so prominent in their recent contests was absent in a marked degree. Baird and Welford, at back, scarcely defended with their usual coolness, but Dunning saved well in goal, and could not be blamed for any of the goals that were scored.