THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 ASTON VILLA V. STOKE The League champions opened their season proper yesterday, when they met Stoke in their first League fixture at Perry Barr. The weather was beautifully dine, and fully 12,000 spectators were present. There was very little advantage obtained by the visitors when they started the game with a very slight breeze in their favour. The home forwards quickly got to work, but for some time the play ruled very even. The Villa left wing eventually succeeded in gaining the first point. Cowan putting on the finishing touch after about twenty minutes’ play. After their success the Villains warmed to their work considerably and treated the spectators to a realty fine exhibition of passing, which ended in Campbell centring to Devey, who scored. The visitors were outplayed, but nothing farther happened before half-time when the score stood— Villa, two Stoke, nil, Upon resuming play the champions were the first to get away, and the game ruled very fast, but settled down in the visitors' quarters when Latham was found plenty to do. The visiting forwards seemed to get away all in a moment during this bombardment, and for once caught the homesters napping, and as there was no one to beat but Wilkes, they were enabled to register their only goal, and the game ended: Aston Villa Two goals. Stoke One goal.