FOOTBALL. THE LEAGUE.-Division I. PRESTON NORTH END v. ASTON VILLA. - Some four thousand spectators were present at Deepdale yesterday afternoon, when the return League fixture between North End and Aston Villa, which was postponed through fog on December 30, was decided. The ground, owing to the recent rains, was in a very soft and sloppy condition, and greatly militated against a scientific display. Unfortunately for the home team they could only put an inferior eleven in the field, the brothers Ross, Sharpe, and Gordon all being on she sick or injured list. The Villa, though not fully represented, had a strong team. North End, winning the toss, played downhill in the first half, and had also the advantage of the wind. The North End were the first to attack, and after a pretty run Cowan caused Dunning to throw away a capital shot. The Villa quickly retaliated and Athersmith, showing a fine turn of speed past Drummond and sent in a fine centre, which was not turned to good account. For a time the play, though determined, was of a moderate kind, but eventually the Villa forwards settled down to their work in fine style, and attacked persistently. Athersmith again centred, but the ball kept too high, and went into touch. Try as they would the home team could not break away, and Trainer was now called upon to save a particularly fine attempt by Devey. The home right at length succeeded in getting down, and was getting dangerous when Baird tackled him and cleared grandly. The Villa forwards were soon busy at the other end, and Trainer first saved from Woolley and then from Chatt. In the next minute Hodgetts sent in a regular stinger, which brought Trainer to his knees. Still keeping up the pressure the Villa forwards made matters very lively for the home backs, and then Hodgetts, with a beautifully timed pass, gave Devey a splendid opening, and that player, with a rattling shot, defeated Trainer. As soon as the ball had been restarted Dunning was called upon by Cunningham, but he saved neatly, but being hard pressed directly afterwards gave a couple of corners, which were not turned to good account. The North End were then forced back, and the Villa front rank, grandly supported by the half-backs, were soon busy again in front of Trainer, who was smart to clear a fine shot at close quarters from Woolley. The North End broke away, but, after Dunning had easily repelled a shot from Cunningham, they were again forced back to defend their own citadel. Some pretty passing by the whole of the Villa forwards enabled them to get a good foothold in their opponents’ quarters, and Hodgetts, dodging Holmes beautifully, scored a second goal with an excellent shot, after twenty-six minutes’ play. The Villa were now playing a fine, fast, forcing game, whilst their defence was also of the strongest. Another hot attack on the home goal was only ended by Reynolds shooting a few inches too high over the crossbar. North End tried hard to make headway, but the opposing half-backs were in fine form, and broke up their attacks with ease. The Villa continued to have much the best of the play, and time after time came within an ace of scoring. Trainer, however, was in good form, and spoiled many well meant efforts by his cleverness. The home forwards after much trouble, succeeded in getting down the field and Connor ended a very pretty run by a capital shot, which took Dunning all his time to clear. The Villa, however, were soon back again at the other end, and when the game was thirty-nine minutes old a scrimmage was formed round Trainer, and J. Cowan, with a low, lightning-like shot, scored a third goal. A few minutes before half-time the home left attacked determinedly, and after some clever, tricky play between Beckton and Cunningham the former with a shot which gave Dunning no chance at all and sent the ball into the net. The play from now up to the interval was of an even character, and the teams crossed over with the Villa leading by 3 goals to 1. The second half opened in exciting fashion. From the kick-off the North End at once assumed the aggressive, and hotly assailed the visitors’ goal. Baird and Elliott defended stoutly, but a grand centre by Cunningham, right across the goal-mouth, enabled Beckton, who appeared from the press-box to be standing in an off-side position, to send the ball into the net. The Villa made a confident appeal for off-side, but this was over-ruled by Mr. Fox. This success greatly encouraged the home team, and they continued to play with great determination. The spectators, who up to now had been remarkably quiet, now cheered right lustily, and the home forwards certainly deserved the applause. The ball was kept within the visitors’s half and mainly near the goal. At one time the Villa looked like becoming disorganised, but Dunning and his two backs showed any amount of confidence and coolness, and defied all efforts to a capture of their citadel. At lengths the visitors’ halves and forwards found their feet, and quickly transferred the venue of the play. Hodgetts and Devey were particularly smart in attack, and were instrumental in making several raids on the home goal. Trainer was kept busy, and Holmes and Drummond were also kept continually on the move. Athersmith receiving possession of the leather, from a well judged pass by Devey, raced away down the right, and, though tackled by Drummond, he succeeded in putting in an excellent centre. For a time the ball was kept bobbling about the North End uprights, but at length Holmes relieved, and W. Cowan and Connor got away. The former centred finely, and Beckton meeting the halt put in a terrifically fast shot which Dunning only saved at the expenses of a corner. The place-kick was well taken, and an exciting scrimmage was formed round the visitors’ goal, but Elliott cleared. The ball was gradually worked down the field, and Hodgetts executing an almost impossible centre, Devey pounced upon the leather and steered the ball through one corner of the goal, far out of the reach of Trainer. Nothing daunted by this reverse, the home team dashed away, and Saunders put in a grand shot which Dunning cleverly placed over the bar. The corner kick came to nothing, and the Villa attacking again, J. Cowan, from a scrimmage, put on a fifth goal. The home team now lost all heart, and the Villa easing down considerably more than held their own. Trainer was called upon several times, and once Hodgetts put the ball through again, but was ruled offside. The Villa held the upper hand to the finish, and run out easy winners by 5 goals to 2. This defeat makes a record in the history of the North End, for never before have they sustained such a heavy reverse on their own ground.