ASTON VILLA V. BLACKBURN ROVERS

The famous Rovers visited Perry Barr to play the last League match of the season.

A large crowd assembled to see the Cup holders play, and when they made their appearance on the field they were greeted with loud cheers.

The Villa were not fully represented, for Paton was prevented from taking the field by the injury sustained by him at West Bromwich on Saturday. Dickson was therefore placed in the centre, whilst L. Campbell partnered Hodgetts on the left wing.

The game was an excellent exhibition of football, being free from roughness, and the play on both sides was first class.

The Rovers, although beaten by three goals to none, nevertheless played a splendid game, their forwards passing beautifully. They were, however, unable to break through the home team's defence, whilst the Villa forwards played cleverly and determinedly throughout, Hodgetts being again seen in his form of three seasons back.

The Villa men, all round, in fact, played their hardest to win, and by their victory have gained two places in the League list, on which they will now stand eighth.

The Villa kicked off, and had the advantage of having the sun at their backs. They speedily pressed and Hodgetts, dodging between Brandon and Forbes made a fine shot for goal, but the ball went over the bar.

Loud cheers greeted a beautiful combined run by the Rovers’ forwards, who however, were finely tackled by Cox, who kicked the ball a long way down the field. Campbell pounced upon it, and he and Hodgetts, with some well-judged passes tricked Barton, and ran the ball into the corner. Campbell then centred across the mouth of goal, but no one was up to take the chance, which was missed.

There was little to choose between either team. Both sets of forwards played very cleverly, but the defences were impregnable.

Three fouls in front of the Villa goal were highly dangerous but the backs cleared and then the Rovers were pressed. The ball was directed into goal three times, but was headed out on each occasion. A fourth attempt was then made by Cowan, and the ball dropped into the corner of goal, where Campbell was standing, and he scored amidst intense excitement.

For the next few minutes the Villa forwards played with great dash and five or six shot were made at the Rovers goal, some going out and the rest being saved by Horne. The forwards, however, did not keep up the pace, and the game again became evenly contested, but when half-time was called no other goal had been scored.

On restarting the Villa forced the play, and Allen headed the ball into goal, but Horne saved.

They kept up the pressure, however, but it is impossible to say much about the play inasmuch as during the greater part of the time the field was covered with dense smoke from a neighbouring chimney.

It was apparent, however, that the Villa had the best of the play, and when the smoke lifted for a few minutes several desperate scrimmages were seen taking place under the Rovers' crossbar.

For a time the goal was preserved intact, but at length Hodgetts beat Horne with a beautiful shot.

For a time the Rovers had the best of the play, and nothing but the fine goalkeeping of Warner saved his side, a shot by John Southworth being kept out in as marvellous fashion.

The Villa, however, soon took up the attack again, and before time was called they scored a third goal, thus winning the match by 3 goals to 0.