SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.

ASTON VILLA V. EVERTON.

These teams met at Perry Barr, in the presence of about 4,000 spectators.

The Villa team was the same as that which met Stoke last week, with the exception of Warner, who was then injured. His place was now taken by Ashmore.

The home team won the toss, and Hunter started the ball, which was soon driven towards the Villa goal. Hodgetts then got possession, and the Villa made a rush for the other end, but Ross got it away safely, and passed it to Waugh, who ran it down the field to Dixon and Devey, and a sharp attack was made on the Villa citadel.

Some mid-field exchanges followed, in which the Villa had the best of the play. Getting the ball away, Hodgetts took it up to the Everton goal, and an exciting attack was made, Smalley having his work well cut out to keep the home men from scoring. Several times the ball was thrown out, but it was as often returned, and in the end Hodgetts sent it through the posts, thus placing the first point to his team, after only about five minutes’ play.

When the leather was restarted the Lancashire men worked energetically, but their shooting was wild, and more than once they missed a good chance.

Smalley’s goalkeeping could not have been better, and but for his energy the Everton Eleven would have suffered a serious defeat.

Time after time he repulsed the Villa, and sent the ball well up the field. The visitors now began to warm up to their work, and made a determined rush on their opponents’ goal. They gained a free kick close in, but failed to obtain any result from it, the back being “skied” over the bar.

After this the Villa got hold of the ball again, and the visitors’ defence was severely taxed. Brown ran the ball down the right, close on the line and centred to Hodgetts, who headed a second goal.

No further score was made until call of time, although the home team made some good tries.

The ball was kept around the Everton citadel for some time, the Villa keeper having a long spell of idleness.

Green took charge of the ball after the kick-off to the second half and made a strong bid for another point, but he was unsuccessful.

Devey and Green were cheered for some clever playing, and Higgins for his side obtained a similar compliment. Both teams now worked very hard and did some good shooting, but nothing came of it.

Hodgetts and Allen created intense excitement by a long “dodging” run but when they were near home they hesitated and lost the only real chance they had before the game was over.

Towards the close the play of some of the visitors was very rough, and out of a loose scrimmage they scored their first goal.

Within a few minutes of the call of time they came very near placing themselves on an equality with the local team, the Villa contenting themselves with defensive play.

At the call of time the score was - Villa 2 goals, Everton 1.

Villa : Ashmore, goal ; Cox and Coulton, backs ; Dixon, Devey, and Yates, half-backs; Hodgetts, Allen, Hunter, Brown, and Green, forwards.

Everton: Smalley, goal: Dick and Ross, backs ; Weir, Warmby, and Higgins, half-hacks ; Watson, Waugh, Keys, Chadwick, and Farmer, forwards.