YESTERDAY’S FOOTBALL THE LEAGUE - DIVISION I ASTON VILLA V. STOKE This League fixture was decided at Perry Barr, in bright, clear weather, the game being witnessed by a crowd of about 8,000 spectators. Logan kicked off against the slope, the home side playing during the the first half in the glare of a bright sun. Stoke set to work very quickly, Dickson heading a goal after two minutes play. The visitors continued to threaten the Villa position, and Dunning was called upon to deal with a hot shot from Naughton. The ball was got away, and the Villa showed to more advantage, Athersmith contributing a couple of dashing tunes which however were unproductive, Rowley performing admirably in goal. Stoke paid a visit to the other end, and Dickson shot outside, after which the home team retaliated with a smart attack, and Woolley all but made the score equal with a fine shot. A couple of minutes later Hodgetts obtained a clever goal as the result of a free kick; and then Logan, receiving a pass from Hodgetts, beat the Stoke custodian with a beauty. The visitors continued to be hard pressed, and Cowan and Wooley shot wide. After give-and-take play, in which Dunning had twice to use his hands, the home side transferred hostilities to the neighbourhood of their opponents’ goal. Rowley successfully negotiated several warm shots, and then dexterous headwork by Chatterley and Devey enabled Woolley to add another point. Stoke experienced hard lines at the opposite end, and later Hodgetts had similarly bad luck. Good passing by Stoke momentarily endangered the Villa citadel, but a splendid opening was thrown away, and Elliott cleared. Nothing noteworthy occurred from this point up to half time when the score was 3 goals to 1 in favour of the Villa. The home team were the first to attack on resuming, and Devey headed over from a centre by Woolley. The pressure was maintained for some minutes, and then a breakaway by the visitors resulted in a corner. The Villa easily cleared their lines, and a moment later the Stoke stronghold was vigorously besieged. Hodgetts received a pass, and shot through, but was clearly off side and the point was disallowed. After a brief spell of even play the home front division again advanced, and Rowley had an anxious time. A stinger from Elliott all but beat him, the ball glancing off his hands over the bar in very lucky fashion. Relief was eventually obtained, and for a few minutes play ruled in favour of Stoke. Clare was cheered for cleverly frustrating an impetuous rush by the Villa forwards, and after a good deal of desultory play Woolley centred and Athersmith put in an oblique shot which grazed the outside of the post. Athersmith was cautioned for foul charging, and from the free kick which was awarded them Stoke went to the other end, Dickson sending in a grand shot, which Dunning stopped with difficulty. The Villa again dashed away, and Athersmith shot wide. Naughton was conspicuous by tricky play on the visitors’ right, and then a breakout by Woolley was nullified through a breach of the offside rule. Stoke became aggressive, and Evans centred grandly, but nothing came of it, though Dunning was kept busy for some moments. An attack by the home team was attended with better success, Hodgetts heading to Woolley in the goalmouth, and the left winger putting the ball through before Rowley could get near it. Directly afterwards Woolley very nearly headed through from Athersmith’s centre and then Hodgetts shot over. Athersmith had the hardest luck in failing to score after a brilliant burst but Hodgetts defeated Rowley just afterwards. A spirited onslaught by the visitors imperilled the Villa position. The defence, however, was equal to the occasion, and several times the attack was renewed only to be repulsed and the game ended in the victory of the Villa team by 5 goals to 1.