The Aston Villa on Saturday justified the confidence reposed in them by their supporters by going to Small Heath and gaining a splendid victory by 4 goals to a 1.

Last season, it will be remembered, the contest ended in a draw of two goals each, and during the earlier stages of the game on Saturday many spectators began to think that Small Heath would succeed in saving a point if, indeed, they did not win outright.

During the first half they had distinctly the best of the contest. They were quicker on the ball than the Villa, they passed better, whilst their attacks were characterised by great dash and determination. And their attacks were very numerous, and but for their brilliant defence matters would have gone badly for the Villa during the first three quarters of an hour.

Spencer played magnificently at back, whilst Wilkes’ goalkeeping throughout this trying period was superb, his saving on many occasions being simply wonderful. Beyond Wilkes and Spencer, and perhaps, Athersmith, who made one or two fine runs and centred with great accuracy, the Villa players gave a very indifferent exhibition in the first half, and had they continued to play as badly in the second they would probably have got soundly beaten.

However, the Aston Villa were a different team so far as tactics went after the interval and during the last half-hour there was practically only one side in it.

The start of the second half was sensational.

Devey scoring for the Villa and Jones for Small Heath within the first four minutes; and for the next five minutes the play raged fast, and furious, and there were quite as many attacks on the Villa goal as there were on the other.

There seemed, indeed, every prospect of an exciting finish. but at the end of a quarter of an hour a long shot by Reynolds settled the question. The Villa half-back dodged for an opening, secured it, and made a shot from a distance of twenty-five yards. Meates the Small Heath goalkeeper, got his hands to the ball, but it slipped off them and dropped over the line. He promptly recovered himself and fisted out, but the referee very properly awarded a goal.

This was the second blunder committed by the Small Heath custodian, for Devey scored the first point from a poor punch out by Meates, to in excuse for whom it must be stated that the ball was very greasy, and Wilkes himself committed one serious mistake, letting the ball slip but of his hands, but luckily for the Villa it rolled to Spencer, who cleared.

This last score disheartened the Small Heath players, who relaxed their efforts, whereas the Villa played with a greater determination than ever, and before the finish John Devey and John Campbell each scored a magnificent goal.