VICTORY FOR THE VILLA These two celebrated teams met again this afternoon for the third time to decide which should be left in for the English Cup Tie at the Villa Ground, Wellington Road, Perry Barr. The ground was rather heavy, but after well-contested the Aston Villa won 4 goals 1. --- *Birmingham Daily Mail* Monday, 16 January 16 1882 ASTON VILLA V. NOTTS COUNTY (ENGLISH CUP, THIRD ROUND) As briefly stated in our Saturday evening edition, the third meeting between these clubs resulted in a decisive victory for the Villa by 4 goals to 1. A large crowd - fully 10,000 strong - assembled at Perry Barr to witness the match. At 2.45 Archie Hunter kicked off down hill with a slight breeze behind him, and for a few minutes the ball hovered near the Notts’ goal, a splendid attempt by Hunter, with his head striking the bar, and going over. Runs by H.A. and A.W. Cursham relieved their lines, and Pank and Clarke each saved dangerous shots. Brown then showed up with a clever dribble but his final shot went wide; but just after Whateley sent the ball flying towards the visitors’ goal, and as the leather neared his posts, Jessop ran out, but Archie Hunter came with a rush, and cleverly landed the first goal twelve minutes from the start. Upon resuming Law repulsed an attack by Notts and then Lee passed to Dawson who nearly scored. Bauser now had a chance, but Law spoilt him by giving a corner from which Brown and Davis came away, and Jessop had to kick out, while just after the ball struck the bar and again toppled over. A fine run and centre by H. Cursham was well met by Simmonds, and Moore, for a wonder, missing his kick. Brown made off, but Moore overhauled him, and the ball then hovered near the home goal, but the Villa forwards at length broke away, and a clever back kick by Hunter sent the ball well into the Notts goal, and out of the scrimmage which ensued, Whateley again scored. From this point up to half time the ball visited each end in turn, both goalkeepers having to repel dangerous attacks upon their charges, but no further score was obtained. For some minutes after the change the game still partook of a give-and-take character, Simmonds, Moore, Pank, Lee and the brothers Dobson being frequently cheered for their good play; but at length a strong attack by the Villa forwards resulted in Brown putting the leather through again. After this it was apparent that the visitors stood no chance of winning, although they stuck well to their work, and for some little time the play was confined to the Villa territory, Simmonds being kept hard at work, while Clarke was not idle. A fine run by H Cursham who centred well was nullified by Law, who relieved his side in good style, and just after Brown dribbled up the Villa left, and sending the ball well into goal Jessop made a weak kick, enabling Dawson to register a fourth point. After this H. and A. Cursham showed up finely, the latter sending the leather over the Villa bar - a very fine attempt. Fine passing between Vaughton, Hunter, Brown and Davis gave Whateley the leather, who middled well but Fletcher finely removed the danger, and good work by C. L. Cursham caused Clarke to handle, Brown then came away, and passing to Davis the latter ran up well, but his final shot missed. Shortly after H Cursham, from a throw, landed the ball in front of the Villa goal, and A.W Cursham cleverly shoved it through, thus scoring a well-earned goal. Only a few minutes remained, during which the ball visited each end in turn by the Villa were left victors as above stated. The game was well contested, but hardly so interesting as the previous matches. The visitors did not play up to their best form, their centre being again the weak spot. The Villa however, played an improved game, and all the team were in good form especially Hunter, Brown, Vaughton, Simmonds, Lee and Pank, while H. and A. Cursham, Moore, Fletcher and the brothers Dobson were most conspicuous for Notts. The Villa have now to meet the Wednesbury Old Athletic in the fourth round and having lost the toss, the match takes place on Saturday next at Wednesbury.