SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.
LEAGUE MATCHES.

ASTON VILLA V. BURNLEY - There was only a moderate attendance to witness this match at Perry Barr. The visitors came with a good reputation, having made a draw the previous Saturday with the Preston North End; consequently it was expected that the game would be close and exciting.

Such was the case in the first half, but the home team afterwards played a much better game than their opponents, and pressed during the greater portion of the time.

The Burnley men showed a tendency to roughness, and “fouls” were given against several of their players for deliberately tripping their opponents.

Hunter kicked off, and the Villa at once attacked, Goodall making a good shot for goal, but the ball passed outside.

The visitors retaliated and a scrimmage took place in the mouth of the Villa goal. A shot was sent in and Warner punched out the ball, but on an appeal a goal was allowed on the grounds that the ball was through when repulsed by the goalkeeper.

The game became very fast, both goals being repeatedly attacked, but the defence defied the assault.

A fine run was made by the Villa forwards, and Goodall sent in a shot, but Cox saved. He did not remove the ball out of danger, however, and Green rushing up again directed it into goal. The custodian was equal to the occasion, and again punched the ball out, but the Villa claimed a goal on the grounds that he was through when he played the ball, and the referee held that the claim was a good one.

The game now stood equal, and each team strove hard to get ahead of the other, Warner saved several shots splendidly, going down on his knees to repulse a particularly fine one from the visitors’ left wing.

The other goalkeeper was not suffered to remain idle, and, having successfully dealt with a number of shots, was at length beaten by one sent in by Goodall, who looked suspiciously like being off- side when he scored. The referee was appealed to but allowed the point. No further score was made, and at half-time the Villa led by one goal

On resuming the home team at once pressed, but were kept at bay for the first ten minutes by the fine play of the Burnley backs.

Then, however, Hunter, who received the ball from Allen, secured an opening and scored the third point for the Perry Barr men.

A grand shot was made by Devey, but was as grandly saved by the Burnley goalkeeper.

The visitors changed the scene of the game for a brief interval, but the ball was soon back in their goal territory, and Goodall had an easy opening, but kicked the ball over instead of under the bar.

Continuing to press, the Villa obtained a fourth goal, Allen sending the ball between the posts. Just before time McKay obtained a second goal for the visitors. No further score was made, and the Villa thus won the match by 4 goals to 2.

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

Burnley: Cox, goal; Lang and Berry, backs; McFetteridge, Friel, and Keenan, half-backs; R. Brady and A. Brady (right), Gallacher (centre), Yates and McKay (left), forwards.