NOTTS FOREST V. ASTON VILLA.

With the struggle for the League Championship now rapidly approaching its termination, and Sheffield United making such a close fight for first honours with Aston Villa, great importance attached the result of the Birmingham cub's match with Notts Forest at Nottingham.

Despite some boisterous weather, a crowd of about 19,000 people assembled to witness the contest.

Smith and Crabtree were both absent from the Villa team, and the Forest had to take to the field without either of the brothers Forman.

Playing with the wind in their favour, the Villa pressed a good deal in the early stages of the game, but the first point fell to the share the home team, Calvey putting the hall through rather less than 20 minutes after the kick-off.

The Forest did not long maintain their lead. Templeton equalising for the Villa. Vigorous work at each end ensued, but when half-time arrived the score stood one goal each.

With the change of ends came a great deterioration in the play of both sides, the forwards quite losing their combination, and the backs thus easily repelling any attacks.

The football, indeed, was dull in the extreme. Until within a few minutes of the close the Forest had rather the better of matters, but then the Villa roused themselves and very nearly snatched victory. However, when the end came the score remained result was a draw. Result : NOTTS FOREST 1 goal; ASTON VILLA 1 goal.