6-1

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.
THE LEAGUE.
Aston Villa v. Stoke.

These teams met at Perry Barr in the presence of a few hundred spectators. The weather was miserable, and the field covered with melting snow to the depth of a couple of inches, fast and accurate play was out of the question.

The match was an interesting one from many points of view, however, but chiefly because of the altered constitution of the Villa team.

Hunter was absent, and so was Hodgetts, whose suspension by the Birmingham Football Association rendered him ineligible.

A thorough reorganisation of the forwards had consequently to be made.

Moore was placed on the right wing with Brown, Allen went over to the left and had Garvey for a partner, whilst the centre position was occupied by Dickson.

The rearrangement worked admirably, and the forward play was very much better than it has been for a long time.

Dickson, in the centre, did capitally, whilst both wings played good goal-getting if not a showy game, as the result testified.

The whole of the Villa men acquitted themselves well, with the exception of Yates, whose leg is not yet thoroughly sound.

Cox played a grand defensive game, and, indeed, the team as a whole exhibited greatly improved form.

The Stoke men played a plucky game, but were manifestly outclassed.

The Villa lost no time in attacking, and several good shots were directed into the Stoke goal, but were cleverly kept out by Rowley.

At length, however, he failed to properly clear the goal, and Dickson dashing up shot the ball through.

A few moments later Mountford missed his kick, and Garvey was thus enabled to direct the ball obliquely through the post, making the second point for the home team.

Then the Stoke forwards played up splendidly and did most of the attacking but owing to the stubborn defence of Cox, and the difficulty in shooting correctly, owing to the state the ground, they could not score, and half-time found them two goals behind.

Upon resuming the Villa, led by Dickson, swooped down in a body on the Stoke goal, but the Scotchman's shot, went wide.

From the kick the Stoke forwards were enabled to break away, and as the result of some pretty passing Hendry scored.

The visitors tried to repeat their success, but were checked by Cox, and a moment later the Villa forwards came with an irresistible rush, and a grand shot by Dickson worsted Rowley.

The game then went all one way with the Villa attacking persistently.

The fourth goal came as the result of a splendid centre by Brown. The ball struck the bar, and whilst Rowley was endeavouring to clear, Garvey rushed in and breasted it through.

Further misfortunes befell the visitors, and before time was called Garvey and Allen each scored again.

The Villa thus won by 6 goals to 1.