FOOTBALL. DEPARTURE OF THE ASTON VILLA TEAM. This morning the Aston Villa team left for Glasgow, by the 8.50 train from New Street. All the selected team, with the exception of Simmonds, were in the party, it being understood that Simmonds will start tonight’s match. The most careful preparations have been made to ensure the perfect fitness of the players for their important encounter with Queen’s Park to-morrow. They all seemed in the best of health, and by no means despondent as to the result of the match. Price been taken as a reserve man. There was a numerous assembly of football players to see the Villa team off, and a hearty cheer was raised as the train steamed out of the station. --- *Birmingham Daily Mail* Saturday 19 January 1884 THIS DAY’S FOOTBALL. ASSOCIATION RULES. ENGLISH CUP. ASTON VILLA V. QUEEN’S PARK. This afternoon these two clubs met in Titwood Park, Glasgow in the tie tor the English Football Association Challenge Cup. The weather was dull and slight rain fell. The ropes and grandstand were crowded an hour before the players entered the field and great excitement prevailed. Both teams were strong and in the best condition. Aston Villa won the toss, and pressed the Queen’s hard. The ball gradually wore near the English goal, but Simmonds sent the leather down when Hunter nearly scored. The Birmingham forwards played splendidly, battling their opponents backs, but still they failed to score. After a corner kick to the Villa, which came to nothing, Campbell, the Queen’s half-back, scored luckily for Glasgow by a long kick. The match was now of a give and take nature, the ball travelling rapidly from one end of the pitch to the other. The Queens Park forwards pulled themselves together, and after a combined run, Harrower secured a second goal for his side. The result half-time was—Queen’s Park two goals; Aston Villa none. The Scotchmen began well in the second period, and soon lowered again the strangers’ citadel. Led by Hunter and Brown, Aston essayed a run and gave the Queen’s backs hard work. but play then became more even. Apperley. who had been playing a grand game, had a capital free kick into the Scotch goal, but the struggle came to nothing. The Queen’s Park forwards gradually bore down on their opponents’ fortress, and Dr Smith secured a fourth goal tor his side. Aston Villa now seemed disheartened, but Hunter was as plucky ever. The Queen’s Park soon added a fifth goal. The Villa now made a determined rush, and leather just slipped past the Queen’s Park goalkeeper, the spectators being under the impression that a goal had been scored. The Aston Villa forwards fought hard, but the Queen’s Park backs always intervened successfully. The Queen’s shortly afterwards secured a sixth goal: and Vaughton amidst cheers, scored for the Villa. Result: Queen’s Park 6 goals, Aston Villa 1.