2-0

Villa win the FA Cup for the fourth time as they beat Newcastle at the Crystal Palace in front of a crowd of 101,117. Villa’s exciting team and famed front line had the game in their hands within 3 minutes of kick off as Harry Hampton neatly finished off a run and cross by Joe Bache. As reported at the time: “Within three minutes of the start, centre-forward Hampton finished off a move started by Leake, his centre-half, to give Villa |the} lead.” That slick team goal was the perfect encapsulation of Villa’s approach to the final and they really should have added to their tally before they eventually did with Billy Brawn guilty of missing a sitter from 6 yards out following Harry Hampton’s goal. Villa continued to press forward and Newcastle had no response, Harry Hampton once more, Billy Garraty and goal maker Joe Bache all went close for Villa within the space of 10 minutes, and only Newcastle goalkeeper Jimmy Lawrence prevented Harry Hampton from doubling Villa’s lead before half time. Villa’s defence also played their part, nullifying what threat Newcastle posed and generally winning any contested 50-50 balls. Villa’s comfort however was to be interrupted for the first 15 minutes of the second half as it was now Villa’s ‘keeper Billy George making the saves as Newcastle’s James Howie and Bert Gosnell hit otherwise goal bound efforts in quick succession. Newcastle’s ascendancy wasn’t to last long however and the game soon reverted to the pattern of the 1st half with Villa dominating and it was therefore no surprise that on 74 minutes Villa scored again. A jinking run and shot from winger Albert Hall was knocked in by onrushing Harry Hampton after Jimmy Lawrence had made yet another save to keep Newcastle in the game. Villa were now in complete command of the scoreboard and on the pitch and Harry should have had his hat-trick, whilst Joe Bache should have added to the score. As a contemporary match report put it: “Villa’s tremendous pace had at times bewildered Newcastle” Chivalrous as ever, Villa legend and captain Howard Spencer (incidentally receiving the Cup and a winners’ medal for the 3rd time) praised not only his own team - with Billy Garraty, Freddie Miles and Harry Hampton being singled out for particular praise, but also paid tribute to Newcastle. The celebrations continued from Wembley to Villa Park and it was reported that: “On their return to New Street Station, Birmingham, the Villa players were greeted by a tremendous crowd. Three coaches, decorated appropriately in claret and blue, carried the victorious players back to the Holte Hotel, Trinity Road, along a route lined with thousands of cheering citizens, many of whom were waving bunches of violets, Villa’s lucky-mascot flower.