2-2

The football season at Perry Barr was opened on Saturday with a League match between the home team and Burnley. The Villa were not fully represented, Dickson being absent on account injury sustained Wolverhampton, and Gray being engaged elsewhere.

Gray's place on the left was filled by Garvey.

There were about 5,000 persons present when Archie Hunter kicked off towards the Wellington Road goal.

The game was but a few minutes old when Hodgetts scored the first goal with a very fine shot from the left wing.

Tho Burnley men then attacked the Villa goal, but were checked in their rush by Coulton, who kicked the ball well down the field. It was there taken possession of by Garvey, who tried a long shot, which went, however, on the wrong the post.

Some pretty passing by Allen and Brown caused the visitors' backs a deal trouble, but they proved equal the occasion. The Burnley forwards, with a united effort, ran the ball well up to the Villa goal, but only to be defeated in their intentions by Aldridge.

They were not to denied, however, and returning to the attack with great persistence succeeded in equalising matters, a shot by Heyes being too good for Warner.

For some tine after the Burnley men had decidedly the best of the game, and on two or three occasions very nearly repeated their success.

At length, however, the Villa forwards ran the ball well down the field, and Hodgetts, with a particularly good shot, again placed the Villa front of their opponents.

The Burnley men tried their level best to score, but, owing to the good play of Cowan, Aldridge, and Coulton, failed to get level before half-time.

On resuming the Villa at once attacked, and a corner was conceded them. They failed, however, to make any use it.

Immediately afterwards Villa again ran the ball up the Burnley goal, and Hodgetts tried another long shot, but this time the ball went outside.

After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to score had been made by the visitors the home team forwards again pressed, but could not succeed in adding to their score.

Their opponents were more successful, for Haresnape, with a splendid shot, once more placed Burnley on equal terms with the Villa. The latter team were now thoroughly aroused, and played hard as they could to once more obtain the lead.

They pressed severely, and attack followed attack with bewildering rapidity, but, owing to the good play of the backs, the Villa did not succeed in scoring again, and the match ended a draw, each side having made a couple of goals.