BURY V. ASTON VILLA.

The visit of the champions for the League - for such is still the title of the Villa eleven - always attracts a lot of attention at Bury, and on Saturday, when the Midlanders put in an appearance, there were fully 10,000 persons present.

Both sides were as strong as the clubs could raise - injured men and one cause or other.

On the home side Nicol and Barbour were out for Pray and Davidson. The Villa started action, but were forced back, and Millar twice shot wide at long range. Plant made a grand centre and Millar caused Whitehouse to handle, while another splendid shot was saved by Whitehonse at full length.

The Villa attacked, but Fisher was off-side.

The Villa were hard pressed, Whitehouse saving grandly from Dobie, and Bowman stopped a beauty from Settle. Bury took two corners, but Evans and Whitehouse were safe. The Villa now attached, the forwards passing smartly, and Montgomery saved from Sharp.

Millar and Settle broke through, but Millar, hampered, shot wide and a quick dart by Athersmith was well repulsed.

Villa were often beaten by superior dash, but Plant failed badly when nicely placed.

Athersmith and Fisher made a splendid run and the former centring grandly, Sharp scored cleverly after thirty minutes play.

Villa showed more combination now, Athersmith being very sure. Settle was fouled, but headed over. Athersmith twice made grand runs but Montgomery saved splendidly from Sharp and Cowan.

Bury pressed vigorously, but Bowman and Evans defended finely. The Villa team were now much the smarter, and showed more combination and half time came round with the Villa leading by a goal to nil.

Bury restarted, and were the first to attack, but Bowman returned, and at the other end from Smith’s cross Athersmith shot hard against the net. Settle raced away, but was brought to the ground close in. An appeal for a penalty being negatived, Bury attacked and Plant struck the upright with a terrific shot and headed through after seven minutes.

Wheldon showed splendidly, and placed the Villa ahead with a superb shot five minutes later.

Athersmith, Wheldon, and Smith gave Montgomery splendid shots, which were cleared, and from a determined attack Whitehouse cleared grandly from Dobie close under the bar.

The Villa played all over Bury, Athersmith and Wheldon being very smart.

The Shakers seldom broke away, the fine work of the Villa halves neutralising all their efforts. The Villa combination was superb, and Bury were kept continually on the defensive and lost.