BURNLEY V. ASTON VILLA. The presence of the Aston Villa naturally proved attraction at Burnley, the Turf Moor ground being visited by 6,000 people. Neither side was able to put its fall strength into the field, Burnley being without Hill, Bowes, and Crabtree, and Aston Villa without Reynolds and Chatt. Though the wind was against them the visitors fad slightly the better of the early play, and when the game had been in progress a quarter of an hour Groves kicked a goal for them. Play then went on pretty evenly, and just on half time Turnbull scored for Burnley, the game thus standing at one goal all at the interval. For a considerable time the play in the second half was fall of interest. Before very long Devey scored twice for Aston Villa and Bachman once for Burnley. Hodgetts and Place then kicked a goal each for their respective sides, and a quarter of an hour from the finish Aston Villa were leading by four goals to three. Burnley tried very hard to get on equal terms, but they did not succeed, and towards the close Groves and Devey scored two more goals for Aston Villa, who thus won the match by six to three. By this victory Aston Villa made themselves absolutely secure of the League championship. Nothing can now affect their position at the head of the list. Result: Aston Villa 6 goals. Burnley 3 goals. --- *The Birmingham Daily Post* Monday 09 April 1894 NOTES ON SPORT. The Aston Villa are now champions of the League, and a victory over Notts Forest on Saturday will give them a lead of at least four points over any of their rivals. For months past the Villa have headed the table, and though their position has been challenged first by Blackburn Rovers, and then by Sunderland, they have always had such an excellent lead that their supporters had little doubt as to their ultimate success. It was scarcely expected, however, that they would achieve such a brilliant victory as they did at Burnley in Saturday. They were without Reynolds and Chatt, and inflicted a decisive defeat on the Lancashire combination, who are deservedly considered as one of the most formidable of the all the League clubs when playing at home. The Villa have evidently recovered the temporary loss of form which followed their Sheffield disappointment and are again performing with that excellence and consistency which have won them the League Cup, and the right to assume the title of champions of England. The players are to be congratulated upon the determination which has marked their efforts from the commencement of the season, whilst the committee are deserving of praise for the manner in which they have handled their men. Throughout the season the committee and the players have been on the best of terms and to the good management of the club and the unity of purpose that has prevailed amongst the team the season’s success is distinctly due. Practically the whole of the players have been re-engaged for next season, and if the same good feeling obtains amongst all continues, there is no reason why the feats of Sunderland and Preston North End should not be equalled, if not exceeded. Aston Villa had the easiest of victories at Burnley on Saturday, for with the exception of a few minutes at the start the home team were rarely dangerous. Burnley have fallen off considerably, while the Villa played in something like their best style. To defeat Burnley at Turf Moor by six goals to three is indeed a fine performance. The Villa attack was very determined and effective. The forwards simply did as they liked with the home halves. They also were lucky enough to find Hillman off colour, and though he now and again showed a but of his old form he played a very poor game on the whole. The Burnley defence also suffered a great deal through Livingstone’s ankle giving way. It caused him to leave the field for a while on one occasion. With the end Burnley managed to do fairly well, but against it they made a very poor show. Hillman’s ability apparently deserting him, as he let two or three shots beat him that he would have had no difficulty whatever in negotiating at any other time. Dunning, was, on the other hand, in grand form, and he was well supported. The visiting halves fed the forwards with judgement, and, as stated before, the forwards were also on the ball and always dangerous. Devey was particularly smart, but the combination of the lot was admirable.