ASTON VILLA V. MANCHESTER CITY.

Played at Aston Lower Grounds in favourable weather, before 20,000 spectators.

The visiting eleven was at full strength, but the Villa were without Athersmith, Crabtree and Johnson, capable reserves filling the vacancies.

The Villa opened the game, and the visitors' right was at once dangerous, Evans and Wilkes between them clearing. After a brief incursion by the homesters, who had the sun in their faces, Ross and Meredith completely changed the venue, and George was called upon, the home guardsman twice fisting away in able style.

Templeton and Devey strove hard to break away, but all to no purpose, and for a time the City had the upper hand. Meredith after a brilliant run, sending the ball hard into the hands of George.

A judicious piece of work by Spencer at length set the home forwards on the go, Templeton centring beautifully, but Garraty missed a grand chance, with an open goal in front him.

Exceptionally even play followed, both goals in turn having very narrow escapes, each custodian saving brilliantly.

Templeton was filling Athersmith’s shoes admirably, but on one occasion when the youngster was sailing clear for goal, he was badly tripped by Di Jones’ the crowd hooting the ex-Boltonian soundly.

Play now proceeded in favour the champions, and the City were sorely beset, Moffat and Rend defending in gallant fashion and eventually clearing.

Twenty-five minutes from the start, the City forwards burst away, and Williams beat George.

The Villa ought to have equalised almost immediately .a grand pass across goal by Templeton going a-begging. Garraty being at fault.

The pace had now told on the visitors, and for a time the Villa pressed incessantly, but score they could not.

From a pass by Templeton, who continued to play well, Wheldon headed into the net, but the Villa forward was offside and the point was disallowed.

Eventually, amid much enthusiasm Wheldon equalised from a penalty kick against Read for tripping Smith.

At half-time the score was one goal each.

The City attacked straightaway and George scooped out beautifully with all! the opposing forwards on the top of him. Devey and Templeton broke away, and following a burst by Smith, the Villa looked like forging ahead. Meredith and Ross between them forced a corner, which George cleared, and in a twinkling the champions were attacking, the Manchester goal having a series of narrow escapes.

Dougal and Williams burst to the other end, and the strangers looked very dangerous until Spencer gave them the right-about.

The Villa now played all over their rivals, and when Devey gave the champions the lead, a scene of great enthusiasm prevailed.

The strangers retaliated, Wilkes being injured, while stopping Ross, so badly that had to leave the field.

Hard play followed to the finish, the result being— Aston Villa, Two goals; Manchester City, One goal.