MANCHESTER CITY v. ASTON VILLA.
THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS DRAW.

This match has ever since the draw was made been regarded as one of the best in the round, and to enable each side to do justice to itself, the directors sent the men into special training. The City went to Lytham and the Villa Blackpool, and judging by the appearance of the men on Saturday, they had received every possible attention, for they were “done to a turn”.

The ground, which is naturally on the heavy side, promised hard going, but the men stuck up well to their work, for though at times the display did not reach much above mediocrity, it was always vigorous and of Cup tie character.

There would be fully 25,000 people present when the men trotted on to the arena a few minutes before the time ordered by the Association. The City won the toss and played with the strong wind in their favour. The Villa left wing tried get away, but Moffatt quickly gave the ball to Meredith, whose pass was taken Cowan.

Directly afterwards Ross put the ball into the net, after five minutes’ play. For some minutes the game, though carried on at great pace, was of struggling character. Villa forwards had good chances twice; but shot badly. Moffatt afterwards gave a corner, which was easily got rid of. Ross and Meredith started another attack on the Villa goal, and Spencer gave a corner, but Moffatt’s shot at goal went wide. Ray, when in a good position, shot over the line.

The City forwards played in brilliant style, but their shooting at goal was weak.

The Villa men were handicapped by having at times dazzling sun in their eyes. The City were having the best of play, and Gillespie almost scored. Athersmith on one occasion almost brought about the downfall of the City goal, Williams dropping the ball on his own goal line, and then making a really clever save.

The play went on again, and at half-time the City were holding the lead by a goal to nil.

The interval enabled Ross, who gone off injured, to recuperate, and he was back in his place much to everybody’s relief when the teams lined out. There would now be fully 30,000 people present.

The game for some time progressed much the lines of the first half, and then Wheldon tried a brilliant low shot which Williams saved in marvellous fashion.

After a spell of pressing by the Villa, Meredith just missed scoring with a rasping shot. Smith then dashed down the centre, and getting the ball equalised with a clever shot.

The Villa were now having the best of matters, and Williams was called upon to save quite a number of warm shots.

Towards the finish City in turn had the advantage, but missed several good openings. Williams continued to perform brilliantly in goal, and repeatedly saved his charge. One shot from Wheldon, however, almost beat him. There was, however, no further scoring, and the result was a draw of one goal each.