SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL
LEAGUE MATCHES.

ASTON VILLA V. WEST BROMWICH ALBION.- This match was played at Perry Barr in beautiful weather. The teams had not met before this season, and consequently a great deal of interest was manifested in the match, the toughness of the struggles between the Albion and the Villa having become proverbial. The West Bromwich men have not had such a successful season as their rivals, but it was generally understood that the finest eleven that could possibly be chosen would represent each club.

The supporters of each side mustered in strong force and when the game commenced there were over 10,000 persons present, the attendance being the largest seen on the ground since the memorable fight between the North End and the Villa last year.

The Villa were the first on the field and were well received, whilst the Albion were also warmly greeted, Harry Green, the back, who made his first appearance in the team, being specially cheered.

The Albion won the toss, and played up hill against the wind. Hunter kicked off, and the Albion at once rushed up the field and obtained a corner kick, but failed to utilise it.

The Villa forwards made a pretty combined run, and Brown sent the ball straight into goal, but Roberts, with some difficulty, prevented it going through. A moment later the ball was taken right up to the home team’s goal, and Warner saved two fine shots sent in by Wilson.

The game was very fast, and the ball was soon back again in the Albion’s quarters. Brown dribbled down into the corner, and centred well. Hunter tried to direct the ball through, but his aim was bad, and it passed the wrong side of the posts.

In less time almost than it takes to tell, the scene of play was changed, and Warner was loudly cheered for stopping a splendid shot from Wilson. The Villa goalkeeper punched the ball almost to the centre of the field, and Hunter pouncing on it, passed it to Hodgetts. He and Horton had a rare tussle for possession, but Hodgetts proved the better man, and centred. Brown tried hard to get up, but failed, and Green in trying to centre kicked out.

Bassett, who was playing with great pluck and perseverance, ran up the hill and tried to score, but without success. Back came the ball, and so hotly were the Albion backs pressed that they gave two corner kicks in succession, an advantage of which the Villa could make no use.

The Albion paid a brief visit to the Villa goal, but were beaten out, and then the Villa forwards made a grand run. The five ran down in a line, the ball being passed and re-passed with an accuracy which puzzled the Albion defenders.

Close to the goal Hodgetts received the ball, and directed it swiftly into goaL Roberts stooped, but the ball was too low for him to reach, and tremendous cheers announced that the Villa had scored.

Nothing discouraged, the Albion played up with great pluck, and Wilson made a good attempt to equalise, but Warner proved invincible between the posts. Goodall then tried to lower the Albion’s colours for the second time, and the shot would have been very dangerous had not Allen endeavoured to speed on the ball with his head and turned it over the bar.

The home team were now having decidedly the best of the game, and but for the fine defence of the visitors would have run up a substantial score. The game was stopped for a few minutes owing to T. Green receiving a severe kick on the leg, but it only partially disabled him, and he remained on the field. The Villa obtained many corner kicks, but failed to turn any of them to account, and when the interval arrived the score remained unaltered.

It was expected that the visitors would play better after the change, as they had the wind in their favour. For a time they did so, and made several of those ugly rushes which have won them many a match, but the Villa half-backs and backs worked splendidly, and beat off all attacks.

Once Bassett got dangerously near to the Villa goal, and sent in a splendid shot, but Warner prevented it from taking effect. For about ten minutes the play was in favour of the Albion, but then the Villa reasserted their superiority, and a fine combined effort on the part of the forwards bore its reward, for Allen secured an opening and scored a second goal.

Flushed with success the Villa played magnificently. They literally penned their opponents in, and the capture of the Albion goal seemed certain. The backs, however, played a fine defensive game, and, strive as hard as they could, the Villa could not again score.

The Albion tried desperately to score, but their forwards were too well looked after by the Villa half-backs. Burton throughout played a magnificent game, and neutralised the efforts of Woodall and Bassett. Goodall in the centre proved a most useful man, whilst Devey worked well from start to finish. Neither side could score again, and the Villa won a splendid match by 2 goals to 0.

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

Albion: Roberts, goal; H. Green and J. Horton, backs; E Horton, Hendry, and Timmins, half-backs; Woodhall and Bassett, right wing; Bayliss centre; Pearson and Wilson, left forwards

Umpires. Messrs Bisseker and Albut. Referee, Mr. McIntyre.