NOTTS FOREST V. ASTON VILLA
Notts Forest have never cut a very prominent figure against Aston Villa, and on Saturday afternoon, on the Town Ground at Nottingham, they suffered defeat in the return League match of the season by four goals to two.

Of the previous 16 contests engaged in Aston Villa have won fourteen to the Forest men’s two, the former scoring forty two goals as against 22.

On Saturday the weather. although cold, was beautifully fine, and large and enthusiastic crowd assembled.

Spencer was played in lieu of Shaw on the local right, and Stewart filled the vacancy in the half back line.

At the start the attendance was estimated at 10,000 spectators. The Forest captain won the toss, and scarcely had the Villa centre kicked off than Athersmith rushed down and shot vigorously into the hands of Allsopp. who saved all expense of a corner. This, however, availed nothing, and on resuming the Forest forwards played strongly, Spencer just failing to head through.

A free kick now fell to the “Villans” which was close in. This was taken Crabtree and on his passing to Devey the latter succeeded in scoring, amid the hearty cheers of the Birmingham contingent.

Twelve minutes had elapsed, and on recommencing the home side again took up the running, forcing a succession of comers.

Later Allsopp saved splendidly from Campbell. Play was extremely fast, and was for a time in favour of Forest. A superb centre by M’Innes on the left rolled right across the Villa goal and had Frank Forman been a little closer would possibly have equalised.

Just on the eve the interval Allsopp fisted out a stinging shot from foot of Wheldon. When the referee sounded his whistle for the cross-over Villa were leading by the one goal named to none.

Forest had the wind against them, but Spencer early broke away, and eluding Evans, the local outside right screwed a shot which Wilkes had no chance stopping.

Continuing, the opposing forwards again worked their way to the front and a second goal on their behalf was registered John Cowan from the left.

The excitement was now very great, the Foresters playing for all they were worth.

Once Spencer caused Wilks to fall his entire length to save though at the same forward's next attempt he negotiated a shot which proved much too good for the Villa goal-keeper, Thus the “poll” was again equal.

The locals, cheered on by their supporters, worked in amazing fashion, and might have drawn to the front had their kicking been better judged. When in front of their opponents’ stronghold Frank Forman charged Campbell, and as result of the foul the visitors, through Campbell, were enabled to register third point.

Free kicks to both sides succeeded, and just before the close Stuart, one the local half backs, unluckily out of a scrimmage, placed the ball into the Forest net. Spencer for Forest, was especially prominent, but do as he might, he was unable to get through the Villa backs.

In the end the League champions added yet another victory to the series already achieved winning, as already stated, by four goals to two.