ASTON VILLA v. LIVERPOOL.

Liverpool paid the first visit of this season to Birmingham on Saturday to meet the Villa their League fixture. The weather was wet and dismal, and the attendance, as a natural consequence, suffered greatly.

On account of the state of the ground accurate football was out of the and question and the display was of a very second-rate character. The Villa team was slightly altered. Chatt taking centre in of place Devey, and Dorrell appeared in Woolley’s position whilst Wilkes was in goal.

Chatt started the game, and the local men at once got an advantage and swarmed round the Liverpool goal. M’Cann saved whilst Hannah returned the ball. Dorrell, Hodgetts, and Chatt made a splendid run, but a foul in goal returned the play. Keir and Ross made a splendid attempt, which Spencer nullified; but Keir immediately after headed a goal from a pass by Bradshaw, which the referee disallowed.

Cowan gained first point from a free kick in front of goal.

Play of an even character followed ; each goal was visited and several corners came to nothing, until Reynolds registered second point from a long, high shot.

The game underwent no charge before the interval arrived.

On recommencing the Villa went very strongly, and the Liverpool defence was sorely taxed. Bradshaw and Henderson livened things for a time by a smart transfer play, but the home side were soon back again and from a penalty kick Reynolds added another goal.

This further reverse put the Norththeners on their mettle for a time, and desperate attacks were made on the Villa citadel, all, however, without effect.

Dorrell next cleverly caught the ball, and with a lightning shot beat M’Cann. and before the close Hodgetts gained another point, whilst the Liverpudlians were on no occasion successful, the result being Aston Villa, five goals; Liverpool, none.