ASTON VILLA v. EVERTON.
A DRAWN BATTLE.

The meeting of these teams at Aston Lower Grounds, Birmingham, drew out an attendance of 15,000 spectators, drawings being slightly in excess of £410.

A lot of rain fell in the Midlands during the week, but the Villa directors had several tons of sand from Rhyl and freely sprinkled over the playing pitch which enabled the men to maintain a fairly secure footing.

The Champions played exactly the same eleven as had whipped West Bromwich Albion the week previous, while Everton only made one change to their regular team, Blythe substituting Boyle at centre half back.

There was a slight breeze blowing, and the Villa played with this behind them in the first half. Everton attacked early. Gray and Settle raising the siege, which Johnson terminated by bursting away to the other end. Balmer cleared, and Sharp was soon dangerous. The home goal for a time being in jeopardy. Crabtree conceded fruitless corner, and at the other end Eccles just drew up Wheldon in the nick of time.

The Everton right wing pair were full of running, and the ex-Villa man. Sharp, showed conclusively that he had improved wonderfully in his play since settling at Goodison Park.

Crabtree had all his work cut out to clear following a corner, but a brilliant run by Steve Smith completely changed the scene of operations. Garraty seemed certain to score just as Eccles nipped the ball from his toe.

An effort by Athersmith from long range passed wide of the mark, and from a surprise rush Proudfoot scored for the visitors.

The Champions played up in most determined style, fairly bombarding the goal and forcing a couple of corners in quick succession. The backs and Muir stood up to their work gallantly, and through the goal the ball could not be forced.

A spell of equal play followed until Gray and Settle worked their way towards George, the homesters for a time being hemmed in. George cleared, and again the Villa had a look in, but Eccles and Balmer stoutly denied admission.

Every inch of ground was contested on fast and even lines until the interval, at which point the score stood Everton, one goal; Aston villa, nothing.

Everton pressed on resuming, George having to fist away from Sharp, while a few seconds later Settle skimmed the crossbar. Relief was brought, Athersmith and Johnson carrying play to the other end, where Blythe twice headed away dangerous shots. Spencer broke up a combined raid by Everton and just as Steve Smith was assuming a dangerous attitude he was rather heavily grassed, the spectators hooting loudly.

The Villa were going remarkably well, and Wheldon forced corner, which, however, proved unproductive.

Three times in succession Athersmith sent rasping shots, which Balmer and Blythe cleared, and the excitement was intense as the Villa strove might and main to get on terms.

Everton held out until fifteen minutes from the close, when Smith swung across and Athersmith banged through the equaliser, the spectators cheering lustily.

The excitement was very keen as both teams strove hard to gain the mastery, each goal being in turn besieged.

No more points were registered, the game ending - Aston Villa, one goal; Everton, one goal.