VILLA V. WEDNESDAY.

It is nine weeks since Aston Villa played a match on their own ground, and there was naturally a vast amount of interest taken in their return engagement with Sheffield Wednesday. The weather in Birmingham was very unpropitious, rain falling at intervals, while there was a strong, bitterly cold wind: but this did not prevent a large crowd assembling, the attendance numbering fully 15,000.

Devey was still unable to do duty, which let in Garraty, and Evans made a welcome reappearance at back for the Villa, while on the visitors’ side Dryburgh was an absentee. Price going centre, and Richards partnered Bosworth on the right wing.

Drizzling rain was falling at the start, and, winning the toss, the Villa had a slight advantage from the blustering wind. Straight away the home forwards attacked, Wheldon swinging beautifully across the goal mouth, but none of the other forwards could reach the ball, and it passed harmlessly behind.

Crawshaw headed away a centre by Athersmith, and in double quick time Garraty gave Johnson a good chance, but the Villa centre was unaccountably slow and Earp nipped the ball from his toe.

At last the Blades got on the go, Fred Spikesley being mainly instrumental in changing the venue. The Villa backs were beaten, and Richards banged in a speedy high shot which George tipped over the cross-bar. The corner which followed proved unproductive, and the Aston men were soon pestering Massey. Garraty centred accurately, and the Wednesday goal-keeper fisted the ball against the upright, but the home team only secured a fruitless comer.

Athersmith and Johnson were very conspicuous, but the visiting backs and halves defended well, Earp again clearing.

The weather continued to very unfavourable, but notwithstanding this the game was fast and full of incident.

The visitors broke away prettily, and George cleared ugly - looking shots from Richards and Price, while Evans pluckily stopped a good attempt by Crawshaw.

For a time the Sheffield players attacked, but Bowman relieved, and the game was soon transferred to the strangers’ end. Massey cleared in almost marvellous style, and from a free kick to the homesters Earp brought the Cutlers’ much-needed relief.

Good half-back work, by Cowan, kept the Villa on the attack, and the Wednesday goal suffered a series of narrow escapes, Wheldon, Smith, and Johnson all having pops.

Keeping hard at it, Wheldon scored for the Villa from a pass by Johnson.

At half-time the score stood— Aston Villa, One goal; Sheffield Wednesday, Nothing.

Midfield play was the scene of operations for some time after resuming, until the Villa were awarded free kick, from which the Olive Grove goal suffered a narrow escape, Wheldon and Johnson all but breaking through.

During the first half the Villa forwards showed a lot of indecision in front of goal, but their play improved as the game advanced.

Langley was so hard pressed that he conceded a corner, which was well placed Athersmith, and Garraty experienced little difficulty in beating Massey for the second time.

The Wednesday players retaliated in good style, Spikesley and Wright having a beautiful combined run, which was stopped by Spencer none too soon.

Massey saved twice from Wheldon and Smith, bat the Villa were not to be denied, and Johnson capped some brilliant forward play by placing the ball into the net.

The visitors did not lose heart, and their efforts were at length rewarded sending the ball past George, impartial cheering greeting the success.

Soon again the homesters took the upper hand, and for the most part the struggle was waged round the Sheffield goal. Towards the close there was a certain amount of feeling imported into the conflict, and the referee had to keep a sharp look-out on some of the players.

Nothing further was scored, the result being. Aston Villa, three goals; Sheffield Wednesday, one goal.