EVERTON v. ASTON VILLA.

No matter how poorly either of those teams is performing, a meeting of the two proves an attraction, and ninety minutes full hard play the result.

Saturday’s game at Goodison Park, Liverpool, proved no exception to the rule, and the 30,000 people present, many having travelled from Birmingham, had full value for their money.

The weather was rather blustery and fine, and there was nothing much to the advantage of either side, the conditions held out about equal all through.

Everton were minus Settle and Muir, injured at Newcastle, substitutes being found in Proudfoot and Kitchen.

Play was fairly even from the outset, unproductive corners falling either team.

The Villa were handicapped by having to face a powerful sun, but they worked together splendidly, making several determined attempts to score, Wheldon on one occasion striking the bar with a beauty.

Sharp was prominent and thanks to fine play on his part, Abbot was given an easy chance of scoring but failed miserably.

The Villa attacked, and in saving from Wheldon, the Villa claimed that Kitchen was over the line, and the referee allowed the point.

Play continued fast, both goals having narrow escapes, Everton tried manfully equalise. Toman twice in succession having hard lines.

Toman finally equalised with grand effort, when the game had not many minutes to go before the interval, when the game was half over the scores stood one all.

The play when operations had been resumed was fast and furious. The men were a bit excited and did not show their usual coolness. The home forwards made several attempts at scoring, but they failed as they were too individual. The Villans, on the other hand, worked just a little too much together, and their shooting was too cramped in consequence.

As time was quickly flying and the scores were still equal, everybody expected draw. Then Garraty took up a pass by Athersmith and Kitchen, the home custodian had no chance with the shot, and the Villa notched the winning goal.