ASTON VILLA v. PRESTON NORTH END.

Preston North End paid their first visit of the season to Aston Lower Grounds. Birmingham, on Saturday, and some 13,000 spectators viewed the encounter.

When the poor form which Aston Villa have of late been showing is taken into consideration, the gate must be considered highly satisfactory one.

Both teams showed a few alterations, Preston rearranging their front rank and introducing several new men. The home team won the toss and at the very outset the Villa assumed a dangerous attitude, Wheldon swinging the ball across to Sharp, who tested Trainer with a regular teaser. The Preston custodian cleared, and further good work enabled the visitors to get to the other end.

Chatt returned, but back came the Deepdale men, Pratt being very dangerous until Crabtree headed the ball away.

Down the field the home men rushed, and amid a ringing cheer Suddick safely piloted the ball past Trainer.

The succeeding play was very much in favour of the Villa but the grand defence of Holmes and Tait prevented further disaster. North End broke away in straggling style, but there was no sting in the play of their forwards when near the home goal, with the result that Cowan and Crabtree easily robbed them of the ball.

Smith led a rush to the other end, which was would by by Suddick shooting rather wide of the mark.

The strangers had now a look in, Pierce sending in shot which Whitehouse dealt with successfully, amid the plaudits the crowd. For a time North End hovered in dangerous proximity to the Villa goal, until James Cowan passed the ball to his left wing, which resulted in the scene of operations being completely changed.

The League champions now pressed with will, and it took all the defensive powers of Holmes and Trainer to hold them at bay.

In a little scramble Evans and Pierce “fell out”, but after a mild speech by the referee the game resumed.

The home men once more besieged the visitors’ goal, Wheldon netting the ball for the second time amid the customary round of applause.

Pratt had very hard lines at the other end, and returning, the Villa forwards again troubled Trainer, Suddick just shooting over the bar.

After Trainer had repelled a hot one from Wheldon, Athersmith dashed up but just when he seemed well set for scoring, Stevenson relieved.

Towards the interval the Villa had the best of matters, Athersmith scoring goal number three.

At half-time the game stood—Aston Villa, three goals; Preston North End, nothing.

Stevenson drew up the opening rush of the home men at the outset of the second half and the Preston left wing broke away. Off-side pulled them up; and from a well-placed kick by Bowman the Aston men came dangerously near scoring, Smith was off-side, which gave North End relief.

This was not for long, however, for back came the Birmingham front line in a body, Trainer saving in marvellous style.

Foul play by the homesters gave Preston relief, and Halsall made a good though unsuccessful attempt to score, the ball just skimming the bar.

Wheldon and Smith raced away, and J. Sharp was given the ball in a good position, but he failed to make any use of the chance. Bowman and Evans pulled up a dangerous rush on the part of Pratt and Brown, and Athersmith was soon troubling the other defenders.

Holmes cleared again, and backed up by some strong half back play on the part of the Henderson, the North End forwards were once more dangerous. Crabtree cleared, and a combined attack on Trainer terminated in Sharp scoring the Villa’s fourth goal.

After this the game slowed down considerably, until North End, headed by M’Clatchie, made a stubborn effort to break through the home defence. Evans and Crabtree returned the ball and Wheldon all but beat Trainer in the next minute.

In the closing moments the game was of a quiet character, the final score being Aston Villa, four: Preston North End, none.