SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.
ASTON VILLA V. BLACKBURN ROVERS

Considerable interest was manifested in the meeting of these teams, and, notwithstanding the great counter attraction at Moseley, fully 5,000 persons witnessed the match at Perry Barr.

Both clubs played their full strength, but the Villa team included a new half-back, Goodall, brother of the famous centre forward in the North End.

The new Villa man played splendidly, and will doubtless secure a permanent position in the team, to which he will be a valuable addition on account of his skill in shooting.

In this respect he takes after his brother, and like him never hesitates to shoot when anything like a chance of scoring presents itself. On Saturday he scored one point, and had a hand in the obtaining of several others.

The win of the Villa came as a surprise, to everyone, the Rovers having lately played in brilliant form. For the first half-hour the game was in nobody’s favour, the ball travelling from end to end with marvellous rapidity. The backs and goalkeepers of both teams played splendidly. Southworth especially distinguishing himself by his brilliant heading, which saved his side on occasions too numerous to mention.

An astonishing change came over the game about ten minutes before half-time. The Villa forwards suddenly seemed to freshen up, and pressed severely.

Arthur gave a corner, and from the free kick taken by Hodgetts, Green headed the ball through goal amidst loud cheers.

The spectators had hardly finished congratulating themselves upon the Villa’s success ere the Rovers’ citadel was again captured, a splendid shot by Goodall proving too good for Arthur.

After the change over the Villa, proved themselves much the better team. Their forwards passed more accurately than the visitors; in fact, their play all round was superior.

The Villa scored a third goal immediately after the change over, Brown heading the ball past Arthur.

A fourth from Allen followed and then the Rovers played up with more spirit, and were rewarded with a goal obtained by Walton.

Their efforts did not last long, and they were again outplayed by the home team, who added a couple more goals to their score, and won by 6 goals to 1. This win places the Villa second to North End in the League Championship.

Aston Villa: Warner, goal ; Cox and Coulton, backs ; Yates, Goodall, and Burton, half-backs ; Green and Brown (right), Hunter (centre), Hodgetts and Allen (left), forwards.

Blackburn Rovers : Arthur, goal Southworth and Forbes, backs; Douglas, Alward, and Forrest, half-backs: Fecitt and Townley (left)i, Southworth (centre), Walton and Haresnape (right), forwards,