FOOTBALL LEAGUE. DIVISION 1. ASTON VILLA V. SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY. Played at Perry Barr yesterday in the presence of a good company. The weather was everything that could desired, whilst the turf looked in capital order. Each side was well represented. The Villa opened the attack, but the Wednesday backs interposed and Sheffield bore down in line for the homesters’ goal, but lacked dash at the finish. The Villa forwards receiving the ball from Spencer made a magnificent combined run. Athersmith centred, and Chatt, and Devey and Smith each had a shot for goal, but Allan kept his charge grandly. Athersmith was soon at work again, and the visitors had every opportunity clearing, but proved too slow, for Russell racing up shot the ball into the net. Despite fact that no further point was obtained before the interval took place, the Villa had decidedly the best of matters, and Wednesday were extremely fortunate in stopping a number of determined and well combined rushes of the home side. Allan had plenty to do on opening second half. Hodgetts headed over, and immediately afterwards Devey and Reynolds put stinging shots in. The visitors next had a look in. Spikesley and Woolhouse played excellent football, but all danger was averted when the Villa defence was called into play. Shortly after this, from a pass by Brandon, Brash and Ferrer got away, but Cowan caught and stopped his man before shot at goal was attempted. The home side rallied, and Athersmith running along the wing, passed to Devey, who scored. A hot siege was now laid on the visitors' goal, but Woolhouse and Spikesley got away, and the former scored. Just before the close fouled Langley fouled Ball, and the referee awarded a penalty, from which Reynolds scored. No further point accrued, and the game ended—Aston Villa, three goals ; Sheffield Wednesday, one.