THE LEAGUE. BLACKBURN ROVERS V. ASTON VILLA. There was a very pleasant change in the weather at Blackburn, and the break-up of the frost left the ground in better condition than might have been expected. It was unfortunate, but unavoidable, that the international matches caused defections in the Aston Villa ranks; but none the less the game proved highly interesting, and was greatly appreciated by the 2,000 spectators who were upon the ground. From the start the play was of a very lively character, and at the outset the exchanges were very equal. At the end of twenty minutes the Villa scored, and repeated the performance a few minutes later. This put the Rovers now on their mettle, but their efforts to score were nullified by the splendid defence of the Villa. At length, after a combined attack, Dewar sent in a magnificent shot, which Warner failed to stop, and the Rovers registered their first point. The play then went in favour of the visitors, who were pressing very hard when the referee's whistle announced half-time, the score was then Villa 2 goals, Rovers 1 goal. After crossing over, the play of the home team, which had been curiously uneven, improved considerably, and they pressed vigorously and soon equalised. The game then became most exciting, as both sides tried hard to establish an advantage. The Rovers were the first to score, but the point was quickly followed by another from the Villa, whose goalkeeper was in turn once more beaten just before the close, when the Rovers were left with a meritorious victory by 4 goals to 3. --- *The Sporting Life* Monday 07 March 1892 BLACKBURN ROVERS v. ASTON VILLA. THE CUP FAVOURITES BEATEN BY THE CUP HOLDERS. The favourites for the English Cup. Aston Villa. who are always great favourites Lancashire, had not a great reception at Blackburn on Saturday, only some 5,000 persons attending them. The Villa were minus Athersmith, Hodgetts and Evans, and the Rovers without Southworth. but they had Lofthouse back after his suspension. Both sides started well. The Villa, however, were the first to settle down, and at the end of a quarter of hour Graham struck the upright, and Campbell rushing up scored a capital goal. The Midlanders again went off with great dash, and the ball bounced through off Campbell, making the Villa two goals. The Rovers now rose to the occasion, and the Villa defence was attacked with rigour, and had the best of matters. It was not, however, until within five minutes of half time that Dewar sent in a swift shot. Varner then dropped it. and it rolled over the line. Half time- Villa, two Rovers, one. The second half saw marvellous change of the play in both sides. The Rovers improved, and the Villa went back. The second goal for the Rovers came off the back of Cox and a few minutes later Sanderson, after bringing Warner to his knees save, met the ball and gave his side the lead. The Lofthouse put on another goal out of a scrummage, and just before time Dixon made another goal for the Villa, who had to retire defeated four goals to three.