The visit of the League champions to Anfield yesterday aroused a considerable amount of interest, and there were fully 15,000 persons present at the commencement of hostilities.

Allan started and immediately Becton put in a beautiful shot, which Crabtree intercepted with his cranium. The game became fast from the commencement, both ends being visited, and after Reynolds had shot over the bar, the home forwards for well away, and M’Vean receiving from Becton with a grand shot in the first five minutes.

This reverse aroused the Villa, and for a time they held the advantage, but Liverpool quickly retaliated, and playing in fine style held their opponents. The home halves and forwards were going splendidly, and a clever bit of play by Neil gave Allan another fine chance scoring.

The Villa were rarely dangerous, and a grand run by Bradshaw enabled the left winger to place the ball right under the bar, and M’Vean rushing in placed it over, missing an almost certain goal, as the least touch only was required to put it into the net.

Athersmith then initiated a strong attack on the home goal, but the Liverpudlians were quickly busy again, and M’Vean getting possession from M’Cartney centred, and Allan beat the Villa custodian for a second time.

A change now followed, as Athersmith, racing down, centred, and after the ball had been returned several times, Cowan scored for the Villa, the ball travelling into the net, Goldie evidently expecting Scorer to clear.

Clever runs by Bradshaw were conspicuous features of the home attack, and although centring well they were not fully utilised.

The Villa now exhibited some grand play, and after Athersmith had raced down the ball was sent to Devey, who scored with a beautiful shot which Storer could not reach.

Still attacking vigorously the Villa poured in a perfect fusillade of shots on the home goal, but the backs and Storer saved splendidly.

Eventually the siege was raised, and a dashing tun and centre by M’Vean revived the hopes of the home team. Campbell then almost worked through, Neill clearing beautifully, and then the same player put in a grand shot, which Whitehouse just tipped over the bar. The ensuing corner was easily cleared, and halftime arrived with the score standing at two goals each.

The attendance had considerably increased when the interval arrived, and excitement was rampant as Campbell restarted. Immediately Michale received from Bradshaw, and with no-one in front ought easily to have beaten Whitehouse, but his shot simply crawled along, and a glorious chances was missed.

Liverpool continued to hold the upper hand, and M’Vean made a grand run down, his shot just whizzing outside the upright. Relying on the right wing, the Villa made a strong attack, and an unsuccessful corner resulted in a clearance. Then M’Vean and Michale for town and the latter forced a corner. The kick taken by Michale was beautifully placed and Allen headed in. A certain goal would have resulted but one of the Villa men tipped the ball over the bar. After consultation with the linesmen the referee awarded a penalty and placed the home team ahead.

The visitors played up strenuously now and the home defence was severely taxed. It resisted cleverly, though both sides were now feeling the effect of the hard going.

Athersmith executed several pretty manoeuvres … and Devey putting in grand shot, Storer dropped it, and how the Villa missed scoring is a mystery. The Villa made a last spurt and Smith centring, Storer muffed the ball and in the melee it was rushed through. M’Cartney and Wilkie were hurt, and the Villa nearly scored again through Smith.

A prolonged bombardment of the home goal followed until Bradshaw broke away and relieved.

The Villa, had, however the best of matters and a corner was forced by Smith. Nothing resulted and time was called, the scores being Liverpool 3 goals; Aston Villa 3.
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*The Lancashire Evening Post*
Saturday 26 December 1896

LIVERPOOL V. ASTON VILLA. At Anfield Road, before a gate of fully 25,000 people. Liverpool early opened the scoring, Becton turning a fine centre from McVean to account. Still keeping up the attack Liverpool added a second goal by means of Allen after the game had been in progress half an hour. The Villa assailed the Liverpool goal desperately, and, after Cowan had scored first, Wheldon equalised, the visitors having the best of the game till the interval. In the beginning of the second half Liverpool resumed the aggressive, and the Villa defence was so hard pressed that one of the backs had to fist out header from Allen. The referee, after consulting the linesman, granted a penalty kick, and Becton scored. Still the Villa men pegged away, and once more gained equalising goal through Athersmith. The Villa played well to the finish. Result—Liverpool 3, Villa 3.