ASTON VILLA v. NOTTS FOREST.

The visit of the English Cup holders to Birmingham created a vast amount of interest, and Aston Villa could not have booked better tit-bit for bringing down the curtain another season's football campaign.

Most unfortunately the weather all over the Midlands on Saturday was of very wretched description, and although the rain held off during the contest, the threatening conditions the elements no doubt prevented a large number of people from putting in an appearance at the Villa enclosure. The crowd would number 8,000.

The strangers played their Cup team with two exceptions— Ironmonger for Ritchie and Bradshaw vice M’lnnes, while Aston Villa turned out their two latest captures, Aston and Johnston, the whole team being a very powerful one.

The ground was in very sloppy condition, pools of water lying all over the pitch. Forest had the assistance of a strong wind in the first half, but there was nothing noteworthy in the play for a long time.

Athersmith at last got under way, and with a fine rub he placed the English Cup holders on the defensive. the ball eventually going out of play.

Benbow replied, and Whitehouse had to run out to keep his charge secure.

Wheldon and Smith had a very tricky end-to-end run which terminated in the home team forcing a corner.

The strangers, with the aid of Scott, cleared, and Bradshaw got down and shot behind.

The strangers now attacked with vigour, and but for the able play of Whitehouse disaster would certainly have befallen the home team just at this point.

Athersmith had a sensational end to-end run, and swinging the ball accurately into the centre Smith banged it into the net amid rousing cheers, the schoolboys, who had been specially invited to the ground, giving good display of their lung power just at this point.

The success put new life into the home team, and, headed by Johnson, a vigorous attack was made on the Notts goal, which suffered a series of narrow escapes.

In turn the strangers attacked, but on the slippery ground the men experienced considerable difficulty in keeping their feet, and the shooting of the visiting forwards was not very deadly.

Fisher was very prominent in an attack on the Forest goal, which was cleared eventually by Scott with a rousing kick.

From a foul against Wheldon the visitors were given a good chance to draw level, but after this they failed to take advantage.

Quiet play for a time the order until just before the interval, when Johnson scored a second goal for the Villa.

At half time the score stood - Aston Villa, two goals; Notts Forest, nil

Immediately the second period was entered upon Smith and Wheldon at once attacked, Allsopp saving a grand shot from the first named

Bradshaw fouled Wheldon in rather a glaring fashion, and a certain section of the onlookers waxed very wroth over the incident, shouting for the referee to order the delinquent off the field. The offending player was cautioned, and the Notts Forest pressing for a time in very stubborn style.

Bradshaw after some tricky play drove the ball straight at Whitehouse, but the home custodian cleared amid applause.

Wheldon was soon at the other end pestering Allsopp and Atliersmith also bested the Notts guardian without effect.

A foul against Ironmonger led to an exciting scrimmage in front of the Nottingham goal, but relief was eventually brought by M’Pherson and Wragg.

The visitors made strenuous efforts to break through, but the home defence was just a trifle too good for them.

The ground was now dreadfully cut up and accurate play was an utter impossibility.

No further scoring took place, the result being - Aston Villa, two goals; Notts Forest, nil.