SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.

ASTON VILLA V. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS - This League fixture was played at Perry Barr, in the presence of about 5,000 spectators.

It will be remembered that when the teams met at Wolverhampton the game was drawn, and an exciting match was therefore anticipated. The anticipation was not disappointed, for the play was very lively, and but for the heavy wind which blew during the progress of the game a magnificent match would have been witnessed.

The Wanderers won the toss, and Brodie chose to kick downhill, with the wind in favour of his men. Hunter kicked off, and play for the first few minutes was in favour of neither team. Then the visitors attacked, and a splendid long shot directed into the Villa goal was kept out by Warner.

The Villa forwards passed prettily, and, despite the strong wind, worked their way into the mouth of the visitors’ goal. Hare, Hunter and Devey both missed opportunities of scoring, but the Villa forwards returned to the charge, and Allen sent in a hot shot, which Baynton saved well.

The play continued of a fairly even character for a time, but afterwards the Wanderers pressed and gained a corner-kick, which came to nothing. Wood tried to kick the ball between the Villa posts a few moments later, but his aim was incorrect, and the ball passed over instead of under the bar.

The visitors kept on pressing and Warner saved shots from Hunter and Brodie. The Villa defence was splendid, or it would never have withstood the determined assaults made upon it.

The Villa forwards carried the fight into the enemy’s camp by means of some fine combination. Brown crossed to Goodall, who shot for goal, and cheers announced that the attempt had been successful.

The Wanderers woke up, and again pressed the Villa, one of whose players gave a corner. The kick was well taken, the ball dropping into the Villa goalmouth, but Fletcher shot outside.

The game was well and evenly contested up to half-time without any further score.

It was thought that the Wolverhampton men would receive a severe thrashing now they had the wind in their faces, but they quickly showed they were not to be despised by dashing away towards the Villa goal. The ball was centred beautifully, and Brodie ran it through, thus making matters equal.

Inspired by their success the visitors’ vanguard made several dangerous attacks on the Villa goal, but could not again carry it.

The Villa, on the other hand, began to press, and at length Goodall scored a second goal for the home team with one of the finest shots ever made on the ground.

The Villa continued to press their opponents hotly, but the latter’s grand defensive game was equal to all calls in upon it, and the Villa thus won the match by 2 goals to 1.

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

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Baynton, goal; Baugh and Mason, backs; Lowder, Fletcher, and Allen, half backs ; Wood and Knight (left), Brodie (centre), Hunter and Cooper (right), forwards.