3-0

LIVERPOOL v. ASTON VILLA.
BRILLIANT WORK BY THE VILLA.

These teams met for the first time this season in League contest on the Anfield Road Enclosure, on Saturday, before fully 20,000 spectators and the Villans gained a most unexpected and decisive victory, though one which they fully deserved.

Villa were first to get to serious business, and from a free kick Evans put past Storer, but a second player not having given the requisite touch the point did not count.

Allan got away smartly, and, aided Raisbeck got to within striking distance of Morgan, unfortunately spoiling the effort with a wild shot. Robertson was nicely nerved by Raisbeck. but found Aston a trifle too strong for him, the old Walsall man displaying very clever tactics in defence of his goal,

Athersmith and Devey laid hot siege to the Liverpool citadel, the strong pressure culminating in Crabtree narrowly missing Storer’s charge. The Villa were playing a brilliant game, Johnson bringing Storer to his knees with a powerful shot, Smith nearly doing the trick from the resulting scrimmage.

After Liverpool had delivered a brief attack, a mis-kick by Goldie let in Johnson, who, although harassed by Raisbeck, managed to run close in and decisively beat Storer with an irresistible shot.

Keeping up the pressure, Villa were not long in adding to their score.

Storer only partially cleared from Smith. Devey had no difficulty in registering a second point for his team.

Both sides were terribly in earnest. Villa having the best of the exchanges, their general all-round play being fine in the extreme.

Liverpool at length got going, and George twice in quick succession brilliantly cleared his lines. Towards the interval Villa attacked hotly, but without result, and when half time was sounded they were leading by two goals to nil.

On the resumption the home supporters hoped to see a great change come o’er the game, but they were disappointed, for three minutes play saw the Villa add to their score. Wheldon coolly dodging Raisbeck, Goldie, and Dunlop, and shooting through cleverly

Three goals in the ascendency, the game looked a real good thing for the Villans, and it cannot be denied that they thoroughly deserved their success.

Liverpool were playing much below form, the display of the Villans doubtless accounting for this.

Liverpool now commenced to show something of their true form, the Villa goal for some considerable time being subjected to severe bombardment.

The Villans worked grandly in defence of their goal, George in particular shining, and although the post was struck and several fine shots put in.

Liverpool were compelled to retreat without having opened their scoring account. Evans was injured, but after a short rest resumed his duties. Villa monopolised play to the finish. Result :-Villa, three: Liverpool, nil.