ASTON VILLA V. LIVERPOOL
COMPLETE OVERTHROW OF LIVERPOOL.

A far greater amount of interest and excitement was manifested over the decision of this encounter at Aston Lower Grounds, Birmingham, than in any game which has been fought out at the Villa’s palatial enclosure, not even excepting the big International encounter between England and Scotland.

Aston Villa and Liverpool entered upon Saturday’s encounter on an equality as regards point, both having secured 43, but the Villa held a small advantage on the goal average, which in the event of a drawn game would have proved sufficient to have entitled them to lay claim to the championship.

To put it plainly, the Aston team’s goal average was a fortieth part of a goal better than that of their opponents, when comparing the points registered against each team is taken into consideration.

Early in the day the leading thoroughfares of the hardware city presented a very animated appearance, the streets being thronged with visitors from Liverpool, who could be easily singled out by reason of the red favours they sported in their hats and buttonholes.

As early as one o’clock, two hours and a half before the time fixed for the kick off, enthusiasts began to assemble at the Villa enclosure, and although the prices had been raised, there was a steady flow of intending spectators.

The weather was what is usually experienced in April, sunshine and shower by turn, but the rain did not seem to affect the attendance, which fifteen minutes from the start numbered fully 35,000.

THE GAME
Headed by Jack Devey, the Villa, amid uproarious cheers, cantered into the arena, five minutes before time, Liverpool, led by the burly Allan, following almost immediately, their advent being present in very string force.

At this point the attendance numbered 41,357.

The ground was in excellent condition, but there was a string breeze blowing straight down the field, which threatened to interfere with the game.

The Villa won the toss, and Liverpool opened the game with the gusty wind at their faces.

Cox was early on the way, but Evans drew him up in the most approved fashion, Athersmith in a twinkling was down on Perkins, the ball eventually going over the Liverpool lines. Smith raced through and tipped the ball to Garraty but Dunlop cleared.

THE VILLA OPEN THE SCORING
The relief was only of a temporary character, for getting the ball from Crabtree when he broke he looked suspiciously offside, Smith dashed though, and swinging across the field, Devey headed the Villa’s first goal exactly four minutes from the start, the cheering being simply defeating.

Liverpool responded manfully, Walton and Allen heading a dangerous raid, while Spencer stopped in the nick of time.

Back came the home front line, and aided by some really brilliant work on the part of Crabtree, the Liverpool goal was again sorely jeopardised. Dunlop kicking clear when the home men seemed certain to break through. Robertson and Morgan made considerable headway, but the stubborn defence of Bowman and Spencer kept the visitors from troubling George.

A touchline spring by Athersmith was responded to by a grand effort on the part of Morgan, Spencer coming in for a rousing reception for the fashion in which he stopped the Liverpudlian when he seemed well set for goal.

The game proceeded on both fast and interesting lines, each goal being in turn attacked, the visitors’ stronghold having a narrow escape subsequent to a corner kick.

There could be no question about the herculean attempts the strangers were making to get on terms with their hardy rivals.

SECOND GOAL FOR THE VILLA.
The defence of the homesters was well nigh perfection, while the backing up of Crabtree, Cowan and Bowman was a perfect treat to witness.

Smith and Wheldon broke away prettily, and after a short pressure in from of Perkins, Devey piloted the ball into the Liverpool net for the second time, the enthusiasm of the onlookers almost baffling description.

Liverpool replied with vim, and from a long effort by Allan, George was called upon, but he cleared in the most approved style. A foul against Evans, close in, gate the seasiders a likely chance, but Dunlop judged his kick badly, and sent outside. With undiminished vigour the visitors bent to their work, and for a time the contest was fought out in the Villa quarters.

Athersmith cleared, but at the other end he was heavily brought down by Dunlop. Raisebeck was playing left half, and the interchanges between Athersmith and the fair haired Liverpool player were frequent and forcible, fouls being given against each man. Allan initiated a most determined effort to capture the Villa goal, which Bowman and Crabtree brought to book.

TWO GOALS FOR THE VILLA IN ONE MINUTE
Getting into their swing, the Aston forwards broke away with irresistible dash, and from long range Garraty, with an oblique shot, completely beat Perkins for the third time, an indescribable scene following this point.

The cheering had scarcely subsided when down swooped the Villa, and Crabtree, amid a demonstration, beat Perkins for the fourth time, both points being registered with a minute of each other, and about ten minutes from the interval.

This was calculated to take all the go out of the visitors but the responded in really workmanlike style, Allan, Raisbeck and Walker all doing well.

Crabtree cleared and gaining a free kick close in , the Villa, by Wheldon, increased their goal register by five.

Rain now came down in a regular blizzard and against this Liverpool battled bravely.

At half time the score stood: Aston Villa, Five goals; Liverpool, nothing.

The rain ceased during the interval, but the wind, which was now in favour of Liverpool, was blowing very strongly when the conflict resumed.

Liverpool at once set to work, and in the very first minute George had to fist away, Robertson winding up the attack by skimming the crossbar. From a free kick, judiciously placed by Goldie, the visitors looked really dangerous, Cox striking outside of the net with a well meant effort.

Jack Devey forced the game to the strangers’ end, and then Wheldon compelled the strangers to concede a corner, which Perkins fisted away cleverly.

Allan and Robertson completely changed the venue, and it was only the stubborn defence of Spencer and Bowman which prevented the Anfielders from breaking through.

A sensation run by Smith was followed by a strong effort on the part of Athersmith and Devey, well backed up by Garraty, to still further augment the home score, relief being brought to the Reds through the ball going out of play.

A couple of free kicks to Liverpool, followed by a corner, brought no tangible result, the home defence being of the rock description - solid in the extreme.

The Liverpool forwards fibbed and fiddled about in close proximity to George, but either Evans or Spencer bobbed up at the proper time and nipped the ball to midfield when danger was threatening.

Forcing the game, the Villa came win an ace of scoring, a brilliant attempt by Garraty missing the mark by inches.

The strangers were making very little use of their opportunities, and it was now observable that in order to strengthen their defence Wheldon had been drawn into the Villa half-back line.

A passage of arms between Athersmith and Dunlop proved a diversion, the Villa man receiving a word in season from the gentleman in charge of the whistle.

For the first time, so far as the contest had gone, Old Sol deigned to smile on the proceedings but only for a minute or two, black clouds soon gathering.

Liverpool, appeared now, with fifteen minutes still to go, to be a beaten team, and some of the players resorted to very shady tactics.

The Villa fairly rose to the occasion, Jack Devey leading his men on like a two year old, and Perkins had all his work cut out to keep his charge secure, Cowan making a grand effort from long range.

With undiminished vigour the struggle was waged in midfield, every inch of ground being for a time disputed.

With a last effort Liverpool pressed, and Cox drove in a good shot, which George managed to negotiate.

The final result was - Aston Villa, Five goals; Liverpool, nothing.