VILLA v. BLACKBURN ROVERS.

The return League match between these old opponents drew out a crowd of 20,000 people to Villa Park, Birmingham, the weather being very favourable.

The Rovers brought their strongest eleven, but Aston Villa were still without the services of Spencer and Devey, Bowman and Fisher filling the vacancies.

Against a slight the champions opened the game, Athersmith being dangerous in the first minute, Proudfoot just relieving in the nick of time. In turn the Rovers had a look in, but the home defence was very safe, and the strangers failed to make the acquaintance of Whitehouse.

Keeping at it with vigour the Ewood Park men forced a corner and for a time the home goal was jeopardised, relief eventually being brought by Evans. The struggle proceeded on exceptionally even lines, first one goal and then the other undergoing narrow escapes. After Harvey had had hard lines with a really grand shot the visitors once more changed the scene action, and Whitehouse was tested by Proudfoot. The home guardsman cleared, but Wilkie met the ball and banged it into the net. This little incident taking place some fifteen minutes’ from the start.

The champions now played up to some tune, but luck seemed dead against thorn, a hard shot from Fisher just grazing the upright. A further attempt on the part of the Rovers was checked by Crabtree, and some smart work by James Cowan placed the strangers on the defensive.

The succeeding play was very much in favour of the Villa, but aided by the grand defence of Brandon and Knowles, the strangers were able for a time to keep their goal intact, Athersmith, Wheldon, and John Cowan in rapid succession all but broke through, but it was left to the home half backs to equalise matters, Crabtree putting the rivals terms of equality with long shot that seemed take Knowles by surprise.

Fifteen minutes of this half still remained, and both teams played up with praiseworthy determination. Whitehouse cleared a good effort by Wilkie, and Athersmith careered to the other end. Swinging the ball into the goal, Wheldon was there and headed past Knowles.

At half time the score stood—Aston Villa, two goals ; Blackburn Rovers, one goal.

John Cowan led the home men on a restart, but Glover came to the relief of his side, and although Knowles was shortly afterwards bothered he got the ball away clever style.

The home men continued to press, Athersmith on one occasion being within an ace of scoring. Wilkie and Campbell broke away, but they failed to beat down the opposition held out by Crabtree and the other half-backs.

For ten minutes the game was very stubbornly contested, neither side being able to claim any decided advantage. Gradually the champions asserted their superiority, a long shot by Athersmith eluding the watchful eye of Knowles for the third time.

Crabtree fouled Booth, and from the free kick the Rovers had a chance, of which, however, they made nothing.

Athersmith again netted the ball, but was ruled off-side, and at this point the Villa were doing all the pressing, the Rovers, to all appearance having shot their bolt.

James Cowan banged through a fourth goal, and keeping hard at it John Cowan managed to plant the ball in the net a fifth time.

The closing play was all favour of the League champions, who eventually ran out easy winners, the result being Aston Villa, five goals: Blackburn Rovers, one goal.