DERBY COUNTY v. ASTON VILLA.

For the third home match in succession Derby County had last year’s champions for opponents on Saturday, and there was a crowd of between 8,000 and 9,000 round the Derby ground to witness the encounter. The weather was fine, though threatening.

In the Derby team Allan stood down for Keay, and Dorrell and Baird found places in the Villa team, vice Hodgetts and Elliott.

Goodall won the toss, and the opening exchanges were fast and furious, both custodians kicking away in the first minute or two; then Derby forced a corner, Cox nearly scoring.

Afterwards the Villa attacked, but it was not until twenty-five minutes from the start that the visitors scored their first goal from a miss-kick by Methven. Russell and Chatt being responsible for point.

Then the Villa goal had a narrow escape, the Derby forwards experiencing exceedingly hard lines. After much excitement the Villa backs cleared the bombardment, Wilkes saving once cleverly.

The home players were having far and away the best of matters, and they struggled manfully to get on terms before the interval, but in vain, the Villa then leading one goal to none.

The County started the second half in good style, but the Villa nullified their efforts, and both goals narrowly escaped downfall, Chatt striking the post, while Keay landed in the net, and Goodall kicked over.

Archie Goodall winded Smith, and the referee gave Viila a foul.

Despite this, Derby had the best of the game, though Robinson once saved luckily from Chatt from a centre by Smith. Devey scored from rebound, and the result was—Aston Villa, two goals; Derby County, none.