ASTON VILLA v. PRESTON NORTH END. The return League fixture between these teams was played at Perry Barr, Birmingham, on Saturday afternoon, before about 6,000 people, a by no means good gate for an even which usually ranks high with the Birmingham football enthusiast. The Villa were without Reynolds, Smith and Welford, whilst the North End were fully represented. The home side won the toss, and decided to play down the hill. The game opened evenly, and the Aston Villa ended a siege by shooting over the bar. Again the home side got down, but without result, and then the visitors were seen to advantage round the Villa goal, Wilkes ultimately coming to the rescue clearing in front goal, and Villa got away, and some warm work put in by the forward division making matters lively for the North End defence. Athersmith and James Cowan shot over, and a fast run from the visitors' forwards brought out Crabtree, who pulled them up cleverly, and sent the ball across to the Villa right wing, where it was worked down and centred, and, after some abort passing, was shot over the North End goal. Some play in mid-field, the ball travelling to the Villa and and back again rapidly, and some further fierce bombardment of the visitors’ goal brought on half time, when ends changed, with nothing standing to the credit of either side. Upon resuming the Villa forwards got into position and pressed hard, the visitors’ defence showing up in fine style. Some occasional midfield play and a corner to Aston Villa and some shooting over the by the forward Iine was followed by a brief spell at the Villa end. The visitors were repulsed, and back came the Villa left, the ball being centred, Joy punched out, but Cowan rushed in, and headed the ball through, making the first goal for Aston Villa. Some further determined pressure followed and then North End had a good innings at the bottom end. At length Spender relieved, and Villa pressed again. Athersmith narrowly missed scoring. North End getting away, Crabtree was forced to give a corner and when things looked awkward for the home team, Spencer came to the rescue and saved his side. Joy handled shortly afterwards, and both ends were now attacked in turn. A second corner to Aston Villa was only cleared with great difficulty, and towards the close Wilkes had his work cut out to save his goal from the North End attacks, the game ending in a victory for Aston Villa one goal to nil.