ASTON VILLA V. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY.
VICTORY OF THE VILLA.

The opening of the football season in Birmingham yesterday was accompanied by miserably unfavourable meteorological conditions. a drizzling rain falling incessantly and making scientific play a matter of difficulty if not of absolute impossibility. The supporters had anticipated the initial match with Wednesday with eager expectation, and it came something of cheek therefore to find the weather of such a disappointing character.

The Villa’s new playing space at the Lower Grounds is. however, an admirably appointed enclosure, and on all sides the accommodation provided was criticised in highest terms of praise.

On each side the field is flanked by large and commodious stands, one of which will hold 8,000 and the other 10,000 (seated); and these afforded all that could desired in the way of shelter from the rain.

Of course the attendance suffered from the stale of the weather, but even then was most satisfactory, for fully 10,000 onlookers must hare been present. The opposing teams were the strongest the respective clubs could turn out.

The Villa won the toss, but gained no advantage thereby and Davis started the game on behalf of Wednesday. At the start the Villa took rather a strong lead, and after Sheffield forwards had made one breakaway. Fisher, new centre, who is supposed to be the catch of the season, but who has not shown great, advantage in practice, got the ball, gave John Cowan, who was standing wide, a beautiful pass, and the Villa left wing player dashed down field, ran into goal, and had the ball in the net before any of the defenders could get at him. It was a nice goal, but Fisher quite deserved quote as much credit for it as the man who made the finishing shot.

After this Spikesley got fairly away, and passing to Davis, who had no one to face for a short distance, the Villa defence was beaten. Davis saw that Dryburgh was well placed, and gave him a neat pass, although the opinion of many was that the latter was in an off-side position. Dryburgh shot hard and straight, and the ball completely beat Whitehouse, but referee placed the ball for a free kick. Then he consulted the linesmen, with the result that allowed the goal. This made the game even, and very interesting it became, for although the Villa seemed a trifle superior forward, the Sheffielders fairly held their own, but a few minutes from the interval Wheldon shot through from a pass by Athersmith, and the Villa had the lead of a goal at half time, the score standing — Villa, 2 Goals; Wednesday, 1 goal.

On the second half being commenced, Wheldon received a long, accurate centre from Athersmith, and he banged the ball into the net at a great pace, thus emphasising the Villa’s lead, and after some sterling play on the part of the halves and forwards, among whom Davis was the worker and Spikesley the fast sprinter, the Villa again worked the ball well down, and once more Wheldon, whose shooting throughout was irresistible, placed another goal to the credit of the home team, but although not holding their own so far as scoring was concerned, Wednesday were no means done with.

A skilful advance of the whole of their forward line enabled them to break past the opposing halves, and Davis sent the ball in the direction of Spikesley, who, as usual, lost no time in making ground. Davis ran into the corner to assist his colleague, and hooking the ball into goal in a most unexpected manner, completely deceived Whitehouse.

This was a capital goal, and drew forth as much applause as any goal scored in the match.

The visitors now went at it hammer and tongs, and made several desperate attacks on the Villa position, but could not manage to add to their score. On one occasion a free kick fell to the Blades in a very dangerous position, and the ball was skilfully placed into the net, but no-one touched it in transit, and the sides remained as they were.

Then came another good effort on the part of the Villa vanguard, and after the ball had been bandied about in front of the Sheffield posts, Athersmith scored a fifth goal for his side.. This was the last item of interest, and the game ended in decisive victory for Aston Villa. Result; VILLA 5 goals, WEDNESDAY 2 goals

The Villa, on the day, were better team, and their forward play was admirable.

Fisher, the new centre, shaping most cleverly. He passes capitally, and knows the game thoroughly.