ASTON VILLA v. NOTTS FOREST.
THE VILLA STILL IN A WINNING VEIN.

Weather of the most uninviting description prevailed in Birmingham on Saturday, and although this may have had some effect on the attendance, there was a large crowd at Aston Lower Grounds to witness this encounter, some 18,000 spectators being present.

Neither side was at full strength, the home team being without Athersmith and Evans, while on account of the absence their two backs, Ritchie and Scott, the Notts eleven had rearranged. Wragg was drawn from the half-back division to partner Ironmonger at back, Thornley appeared at left half, while, contrary to expectation, Richards, and not Capes, occupied the centre forward position.

The home men won the toss, and Richards started the game for the strangers, who faced the wind and the rain in the first half. The right wing of the Reds was the first to assume a dangerous attitude, until Crabtree stepped in and relieved the pressure. Play was a trifle ragged at the start, the ground being on the soft side, while the players had difficulty in keeping their feet.

At length the home forwards got into their swing, and, led by Johnson, they soon made the acquaintance of Allsopp, Wheldon sending in a swift shot which struck the outside of the net.

The Notts men broke away, being very prominent, and some uncertain play by the Villa backs placed the home goal in jeopardy, until George cleared in good style, and Devey and Sharp broke away prettily, but just when the home men looked certain to score, Wragg kicked out, and the Villa kept at it. and an adroit pass by Bowman to Wheldon enabled the last named to send in a hot shot, which Allsopp only partially cleared. Sharp was lying handy, and popped the ball into the net, amid loud cheering from the crowd.

The Notts men now came with a great rattle, and M’lnnes all but managed to score the equaliser. In fact, for a time the homesters were hemmed in, grand defence by George alone saving them.

Sharp, who to this point had played admirably, now treated the onlookers to a sensational end-to-end run, which he wound up by scoring a second goal for Aston men.

On a restart the visitors’ forwards broke away nicely, and forced a corner, but this was badly placed by Charlton, the ball going behind.

From a foul against Bowman, Notts secured another opening, but George fisted away, and with praiseworthy determination the Reds kept at it, Benbow and Spencer taxing the home defence severely, and two corners fell to the Reds, but through the goal the ball could not be forced, and Sharp, backed up by some half back work on the part of Cowan, changed venue, and after Allsop had saved from the home centre, Devey scored third goal the for the Villa to the evident delight of the onlookers.

The home team pressed to the interval, at which point the score stood - Aston Villa, three goals: Notts Forest, nothing.

Rain was falling when the rivals again took the field, and the Nottingham men were the first to attack, and the home halves relieved. Johnson gave Allsop a hot handful, but the Notts goalkeeper cleared, and a combined breakaway by the visiting forwards was wound up by Benbow driving hard and sure for goal, only to see George clear in able fashion.

The home team seemed to relax their efforts, and for a time the Foresters pressed. On one occasion they came dangerously near scoring, Crabtree snicking the ball out when it seemed certain to go between the posts.

Waking up, Smith took play to opposite goal, and Wheldon came within an ace of again beating Allsnp. From a free kick close in the ball was headed over theNottingham cross-bar, and despite the hard play of the visiting team the Aston men were doing all the pressing just at this point, several shots being sent at Allsop, but the Nottingham goal keeper defended manfully.

Sharp was injured at this point, but soon recovered, and Spencer made a characteristic effort to score, and Sharp treated the onlookers to another brilliant run, but Allsop managed to keep his charge secure.

The final result was - Aston Villa, three goals: Notts Forest. nil.