ASTON VILLA V. BLACKBURN ROVERS.

When Rovers visited Birmingham twelve months ago the Villa won by five goals to one, but since the present season opened the Ewood Park men have been playing in very consistent style, and their appearance in the hardware city created a vast amount of interest, 17,000 spectators turning out to the Lower Grounds to view the encounter.

The Rovers kicked off and at the outset tested the home defence until James Cowan set the home forwards on the go. Athersmith burst away amid cheers, but Sharp could not accept his pass, and Anderson snicked the ball towards midfield.

Back came the homesters, and when Jack Devey headed the ball into the net past Carter there was simultaneous cheering.

Garstang led the strangers on. but the villa halves checkmated the attack, and forcing a corner, Sharp sent in shot which Carter cleared grandly.

Moreland and Hurst burst away, their final effort going over the cross bar. Williams was also dangerous until Crabtree relieved him of the ball, and let Athersmith get away with a bound. Long kicking by the Villa backs placed the Rovers on the defensive, Wheldon narrowly missing to score, Carter clearing not a second too soon.

A good break away by the strangers’ front line resulted in George being called upon, but the danger was eventually cleared.

A grand spurt by the home front line was wound up by Wheldon beating Carter for the second time.

Play was now fast, and in rushing out to clear the strangers’ custodian came to grief through colliding with John Cowan. He recovered in a couple minutes, and once again the home men attacked with vigour.

Moreland tested George without effect, and for a time the strangers hovered in dangerous proximity to the home goal.

At half-time the score stood Villa, two goals; Rovers, nothing.

Immediately on re-starting the home team pressed, Devey and Wheldon testing Carter, the Blackburn Guardsman saving, while he also cleared a hot one from Athersmith.

For a time the Rovers were completely hemmed in, and Carter was warmly applauded for some brilliant work between the posts.

A surprise dash by the Rovers almost brought disaster to the home team, Evans conceding an unproductive corner.

Each end was now visited in turn, but the defence was particularly sound on both sides.

The Rovers improved, and there was some excitement when Moreland finished up a good effort by beating George. This put new life Into the visitors, and, rushing matters, Garstang equalised, but the point was disallowed account of the visitor being off side.

The contest was fought out on most stubborn lines, but Wheldon enabled the home club’s supporters to breathe freely when he increased the Villa score to three.

The Rovers never relaxed their efforts, but failed to add to the score.

Result Aston Villa, three goals: Blackburn Rovers, one goal.