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ASTON VILLA v. WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Since the Villa have been on their Christmas “tour” their chance of victory in the tie with the West Bromwich Albion, which match took place on the ground of the former at Perry Barr, Birmingham, Saturday afternoon, was not strongly fancied when the draw for the third round was announced. However, the creditable result of the Aston Villa and Queen’s Park match at Glasgow on New Year’s Day revived the drooping spirits of their partisans, and on Saturday fully 8,000 spectators welcomed them back to their own ground.

Immediately after the ball had been set in motion the Villa commenced to play a dashing game, and to all appearances they seemed to have profited by their tour. Green and H. Bell for the Albion played a stubborn defensive game, and notwithstanding the strenuous exertions of the home eleven no goals were scored.

Shot after shot was aimed at the West Bromwich citadel, but Roberts, with the aid of the backs mentioned above, effectually neutralised the many attempts and at half-time no points had been secured on either side.

In the second half the visitors had the advantage of the incline, and they at once began to play on the aggressive but, although the whole of their forwards played with great determination, they seldom got within shooting distance of the Villa’s fortress.

Both sides played hard to obtain a goal, but despite the efforts of each eleven, the termination of the hour and a half’s play resulted in a draw, no goals being scored.

As Saturday was the last day set by the National Association for the decision of the third round, a consultation was held to what should be done, but the darkness rendered it necessary for the teams to leave the field.