SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL MATCHES THE LEAGUE. ASTON VILLA V. STOKE Four thousand persons were present on Saturday at Perry Barr to witness the second League match the Villa have played. The Villa team played wretchedly during the first half, and but for the good defence of the backs and half backs would have been badly off. The forwards were wild, and the shooting was execrable. Stoke, on the other hand, played a very fast game. During the second half the home team was seen at its best, and the forwards played as though anxious to atone for their poor display previously. The consequence was that Stoke was heavily beaten. A word of praise is certainly due to Dixon, the new Villa half back who played finely from start to finish. Hunter kicked off uphill, and after some play of a give and take character Hodgetts made a pretty run along the wing, but shot wide. The play was very wild for time, but at length the Villa settled down to their work, and the Stoke men were hard pressed but Clare and Underwood defended splendidly. A corner which fell to the Villa was well taken, and an exciting scrimmage took place in front of the Stoke goal, but Rowley cleverly saved, although hampered by Green. The Stoke forwards transferred the play to the opposite end of the field, and Tunnicliffe scored amid applause. A smart piece of play by Hodgetts gave Brown a chance to score, but he made a miserable shot. Stoke, who were playing a fast game, again attacked the Villa goal, and McSkinning put in a low swift shot, which just missed scoring. The Villa continued to play a very indifferent game, and at half time were in the minority by a goal. When the second half was well started matters were changed. The Villa became the aggressors, and Stoke in turn had to act on the defensive. To save his goal, one of the backs gave a corner, and the kick being well taken by Green, Dixon scored with a splendid shot amidst much enthusiasm. The kicking of the ball from the centre only afforded the Stoke backs and goalkeeper breathing time, for they were soon as busy as ever in repulsing the Villa forwards, Green made a fine run, and centred well, and Brown, rushing in, placed the Villa in the majority. Stoke, whose play in the second half had been considerably slower than during the first, made two game attempts to equalise, but Warner cleverly saved his goal. The home team replied, and Hunter placed a third goal to his team’s credit; whilst Green, a moment later, made a fourth. The game was not ten minutes older ere Green running in headed the ball through as it came right across goal from the foot of Hodgetts. Stoke was now outplayed, and their goal was repeatedly menaced, but, owing to the grand defence of Clare and the fine goalkeeping of Rowley, the Villa did not score again. The Villa thus won the match by 5 goals to 1. The following were the teams:- Aston Villa: Warner, goal; Cox and Coulton, backs; Devey, Yates and Dixon, half backs; Allen and Hodgetts (left), Hunter (centre), Brown and Green (right), forwards. Stoke: Rowley, goal; Clare and Underwood, backs; Ramsey, Shutt and Smith, half backs; Wainwright and Tunnicliffe (left), Staton (centre), McSkinning and Edge (right), forwards.