ASTON VILLA v. DERBY COUNTY.

The return League match between these teams was played at Aston Lower Grounds, Birmingham, before a huge attendance, some 15,000 spectators lining the enclosure. Both teams were weakened through their players being selected to do duty in the International match at Belfast, the Villa being without Wheldon and Athersmith, while the County were minus Turner, their half-hack. In addition, the strangers were without Methven, whose place was taken Staley, while Leach substituted Leiper.

The game opened in fast style; Smith early making headway on the Villa left, although his centre was badly taken by J. Sharp, and cleared easily.

Johnny Goodall led his men down the field in rattling style, and just when disaster seemed in store for the homesters the County were pulled up for off-side play.

Fisher darted off to the other end, and the spectators were now treated to a bout of splendid passing amongst the home front line. For a time the game was in dangerous proximity to the Derby goal, but Fryer kicked away, although from the Press seats the ball appeared actually to have crossed the goalline before the Derby custodian cleared. The referee, however, turned a deaf ear to the home men’s claim for a goal.

M’Conochie led a rush to the other end, which was wound up by J. Goodall sending in a shot which Whitehouse did well to clear. The same player sent in a beauty a minute later, but Bowman hooked the ball away, and, Cowan still further relieving the pressure, the scene of action was changed to the strangers’ quarters.

Fisher was particularly prominent in the attack which followed, and Smith drew forth the plaudits of the crowd by beating Fryer some fifteen minutes from the start.

The game had scarcely bean restarted when Evans and M’Conochie collided, the Villa man being apparently badly shaken. He, however, resumed shortly afterwards.

An attempt to break through by the Derby right was repulsed by Bowman, and once more the Villa raised the attack, Fisher and J. Sharp having unsuccessful pops at goal.

Fryer saved cleverly, and he was loudly cheered for the fashion in which he dealt with shots from Smith and Harvey.

The League champions were playing with the old dash exhibited last season, and their followers were delighted with their play, cheering every little incident in refreshing style.

Sharp tested Fryer with a beauty, and for fully ten minutes the Derby goal was bombarded. The Derby men broke away once, but Evans returned and Fisher beat Fryer for the second time amid deafening applause.

The game had scarcely been restarted when the Villa forwards simply walked through their opponents, and Sharp registered goal number three.

Derby played up in plucky style, but could make very little headway against the plucky front offered by the home defence.

The Villa were pressing at half-time when the score stood: Aston Villa, three goals; Derby County, nil.

The Derby men opened the second period in dashing style, John Goodall testing Whitehouse in the first minute.

In turn the home men attacked, Smith and Cowan sending hard shots which Fryer cleared. Fisher was given the ball in a good position shortly afterwards, but he shot rather wide of the mark.

The home men continued to assert their superiority, and when Sharp registered a fourth goal the cheering was loud and long.

During the succeeding play the Derby goal suffered a series of narrow escapes. Fryer standing up to his work and repelling shot after shot in masterly style.

M'Queen and Stevenson took the County over the middle line, but Crabtree arrested their progress, an in a twinkling the Villa were again attacking, a shot from Harvey being cleared by Staley.

Derby broke away, and had very hard lines when near goal, Archie Goodall just heading the ball over the bar.

Some tricky play by Smith might have resulted in further disaster for the strangers had the Villa centre been in time to accept the left wingers' pass. Staley cleared, and the visitors’ front line broke away, Boag scoring the first point fifteen minutes from time.

This put some life into the play, and when the Villa pressed on the restart there was some excitement amongst the onlookers. Fryer just cleared from Smith, and in a scrimmage up the strangers’ goalmouth it seemed Staley fisted the ball away, but the referee simply gave a corner. This decision did not please a certain section of crowd, who jeered the referee.

In the closing moments the Villa pressed, but nothing further resulted, the final score being - Aston Villa, four goals; Derby County, one goal.