SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL. ASSOCIATION RULES. THE LEAGUE. ASTON VILLA V. ACCRINGTON. These teams played their first League fixture at Perry Barr in the presence of a large number of spectators. The visitors brought their strongest eleven, but the Villa were without Cowan, who was prevented from playing by injury to his foot. Allen was therefore called upon to play on the right wing with Brown, and the Villa front rank was therefore weakened, for Allen played very indifferently, and was at times very nervous. The visitors were fortunate enough to win the toss, and naturally chose to play towards Wellington Road, thus having the advantage of having their backs towards the bright sun, which was shining when Dickson kicked off. The Reds at once came determinedly to the assault, but shot wide of the mark, as did Allen at the other end of the field a moment later. The Villa then made a series of attacks upon the Accrington goal, but Hodgetts failed to centre well, and the ball went outside. Once more, however, the Villa tried to score, and were granted a free kick for "hands" in front of goal. The ball was just within proper distance, and a scrimmage ensued, but amidst great excitement Hay cleared the goal splendidly. A sharp attack was now made on the Villa goal by the visitors, but they failed to capture it, and were once more compelled to act on the defensive. Hotly attacked they gave the first corner of the match, but Hodgetts placed the ball behind. The game continued of an even character, but, although some clever play was shown by each side, the proceedings were not very exciting. There was, in fact, no brilliancy about the play, and the attacks on both sides had not enough of sting in them. The Interval arrived without the scoring of a goal. The change of ends brought about a complete change in the game. It at once became very fast and from the start to the finish it was a continued round of excitement. The Villa commenced to attack, and Brown finished a fine run with a splendid screw shot, which gained him a round of applause. Hay, however, was on his guard, and he punched the ball away ere Dickson could rush him through the goal. Shots were then tried by Hodgetts and Graham without success, and McLennan afterwards gave a corner. Hodgetts, however, placed the ball outside, and from the goal kick which followed the Reds raced away towards the Villa goal. A clever bit of passing landed Pendergast with the ball in front of Warner, and a splendid shot took effect, the spectators heartily cheering what was undoubtedly a fine piece of play. The reverse had the immediate effect of putting the Villa forwards on their mettle, end they played irresistibly. Brown centred across goal, and Graham equalised two minutes after the Accrington had scored. Determined to win, the home team kept up a perfect bombardment upon the Accrington goal. A fine left-foot shot by Brown struck the upright and came to Hodgetts, who, however, lost his head, and shot wildly over, thus missing a splendid chance. He, however, atoned for his mistake almost immediately, for, through a clever pass by Graham he was enabled to make a clear run for goal, and he placed the Villa ahead with as fine an oblique shot as was ever made on the ground. The visitors strove to equalise, but their combination was broken up again and again by the Villa half-backs, and the play was nearly always in the Reds' half. A long shot was made by Devey, and Hay only knocked the ball away a few yards, as he was hampered by Dickson. Brown, who had played since half-time with great brilliancy, dashed up, and in a twinkling had added another goal to the Villa's credit. This was the last point, for although they had the greater share of the attack the Villa could not score again, and they thus won the match by 3 goals to 1.