4-2

ASTON VILLA v. NOTTS COUNTY.

Fully 20,000 spectators put in an appearance at Villa Park, Birmingham, to witness the return League match between these teams. The weather was beautifully fine, with the exception of a rather strong wind, which blew almost straight across field. Villa won the toss, and played with the wind slightly in their favour in the first half. It may mentioned here that Notts, who have not been doing well at all in the competition, made a few changes, rearranging their eleven and substituting Bull for Gibson.

Aston Villa were without Spencer, Whitehouse and John Cowan, but Crabtree made a welcome reappearance.

The home forwards early attacked, then Smith broke away, and in turn Athersmith was very dangerous. The home halves returned, and for a time the champions hung dangerously near the County goal, Toone being called upon repeatedly.

The Notts’ guardsman repelled shot after shot in brilliant style, impartial cheers being sent up from every corner of the ground.

The game was now transferred to the other end, Wilkes handling a shot from Allen in very gingerly fashion, and but for the timely aid of his backs the Villa goal would have certainly fallen at this point. A foul against one of the Notts’ half-backs gave the home men another chance, of which they took full advantage, Devey scoring the first goal twelve minutes from the start.

Scarcely had the spectators ceased cheering when J. Sharp broke away, and running right through the Nottingham back division, he easily beat Toone for a second time, amid tremendous uproar.

Prescott was now very prominent, and Crone put in any amount of honest work. Toone saved several shots, but a lengthy one from Wheldon beat him, and the Villa now stood three up.

Notts now woke up, and for the next ten minutes Wilkes was busy, the home goalkeeper repelling all sorts of hard shots. Keeping at it however, the strangers at length scored by Carter.

At half time the Villa led three to one.

Notts pressed on a restart but just when the lace county men were becoming dangerous Allan shot past. An attack by Devey and Athersmith was repulsed, and Boulter broke away. Just as he was about to shoot Evans seemed to hold him, and on an appeal the referee, after consulting with his linesmen, granted a penalty kick. From this Steward scored, and as the game now stood 3—2 in favour of the Villa the excitement was very high.

The home forwards were playing a struggling game, and with the view improving matters Devey and J Sharp changed ends. The Villa attacked strongly, and after Stewart had almost kicked through his own goal, Sharp scored again for home team, the result consequently being - Aston Villa, four goals; Notts County, two goals.