ASTON VILLA V. DERBY COUNTY.
HOLLOW VICTORY FOR THE VILLA.

The meeting of these teams at Birmingham last Saturday attracted a crowd of about 20,000 spectators to Aston Lower Grounds. Birmingham. The strangers were without Bloomer, who was assisting England in the International contest at Belfast, while the Villa was minus Crabtree for a similar reason. In addition the home team was without Smith and Athersmith, although in every case capable substitutes filled the vacancies.

The ground was a little soft owing to the recent heavy rain, which had fallen on the district, but the weather was favourable when contest was entered upon. The visitors kicked off, and Wheldon was the first to break away, although M’Queen was early dangerous on the Derby left. Aston relieved, and for a time the County hovered round the home goal, May eventually kicking behind.

Devey and Sharp took play to the other end, but the Derby men, led by Boag returned, and the Villa defence was sorely attacked until Evans relieved. Some good forward play took the home team to the other end, and an accurate centre by John Cowan was well met by Devey, who rushed the ball past Fryer eight minutes from the start.

Handley and Shanks replied, but Bowman drove the visitors back, and after a beautiful rush, in which the entire front line of the home team participated, Johnson beat Fryer for the second time amid much enthusiasm.

The cheering had scarcely died away when a surprise rush by the Derby forwards was wound up by Arkesden beating George.

The Villa retaliated, and for a time the game was fought out on even lines. M’Queen aided by some good half-back work on the part of Goodall, looked dangerous, but Aston and Evans cleared, and from a very hot attack on Fryer, Wheldon scored the home team’s third goal.

The Villa half-backs seemed now to have the measure of their rivals, and play was for the most part confined to the Derby goal.

Devey scored a fourth goal, and Wheldon soon followed with a fifth.

At half time the score stood - Aston Villa, five goals; Derby County, one goal.

When play was resumed, quiet work was the order, until Johnson burst away in irresistible style, and passing to John Cowan, the last named sent the ball whizzing into the net.

The County retaliated, Archie Goodail trying hard to get his forwards on the move, but the home defensive division seemed to have completely taken the measure the opposition. Fryer had his hands full, and he did well to turn aside two rasping shots from John Cowan and Wheldon. Try as they would, the strangers could make no headway, and Fryer was loudly applauded for the manner in which he dealt with a deadly-looking shot from Sharp.

At length the visitors broke away, and caused George to handle, the home custodian clearing. The Rams pressed for a little, but their shooting was wild, and they were soon driven back.

The home forwards broke away prettily, and Johnson banged the ball past Fryer for the seventh time.

With such a commanding lead the Aston men relaxed their efforts and Derby had a few openings in the closing minutes, but the defence was to good for them.

Result:—Aston Villa, seven goals; Derby County, one goal.