SUNDERLAND v. ASTON VILLA. Each team was strongly represented when these clubs met at Perry Barr on Saturday. Great interest was manifested in the match as the two clubs occupied premier positions in the League table last season. When Devey started the game against a glaring sun there were fully 20,000 people present. The opening stage of the game was of an exciting nature, the Villa attacking with great determination and dash, and at the end of five minutes Chatt cleverly placed the ball in the mouth of the goal, and Smith secured first point. This early success was very soon followed by the ball being put into the net a second time by Chatt, but he was ruled off-side. Play of an even nature followed, and neither side had the better of the exchanges. Welford and Elliott had to concede corners in defence of their goal, but Reynolds successfully cleared and Hodgetts and Devey made a fine run. After a short visit to the Sunderland goal, Hyslop got possession, and grand combined run of the Wearside forwards ended in Campbell scoring with a magnificent shot. No further score was made before half time. Opening the second half Sunderland assumed the aggressive, and things were made lively for Aston Villa for some time, but eventually Devey received the ball from Reynolds, and a fruitless visit was paid to the Sunderland citadel. Some mid-field play ensued before the Northerners lined up and splendid combination carried the ball into their opponents’ quarters and Hannah was rewarded with shot which placed his team to the front. Although determined efforts were made by either side, no further change was effected in the score, and the game closed. Sunderland, two goals; Aston Villa, one goal