ASTON VILLA V. PRESTON NORTH END. THE VILLANS MAINTAIN THEIR SUPERIORITY This match was brought off at Perry Barr before fully 15,000 spectators. Winning the toss, North End chose to play down the hill, the wind not aiding either side materially. Boyd quickly got down and shot into goal, but Wilkes saved pluckily, though a trifle riskily. After Athersmith had made a short run, Boyd receiving a nice pass from this partner, agains shot in at a great pace, but again Wilkes saved. Then came a nice bout of passing between Wheldon and Smith, which resulted in the latter centring, but Trainor was equal to all emergencies. Then the Villa goal had a very narrow escape. Saunders put the ball into the centre, and Stevenson had a great chance, but when only a few yards from goal managed to put the ball high over the bar. It was an exasperating mistake, but Eccleston interfered with the Preston centre as he was in the act of shooting. All this time people had been passing into the ground, and there could not have been less than 15,000 around the ropes. Smith and Wheldon were in excellent form on their wing, and the former repeatedly for the ball into the mouth of goal. At length, after thirteen minutes’ play, the Villa scored, Smith banged the ball into the centre, and just as Trainor was in the act of saving, Devey ran up and cleverly tipped the ball out of his reach. It was a neatly obtained goal, and deserved all the warm applause it received. The North End forwards made a dashing run into the Villa territory, but Crabtree pulled them up at the expense of a throw in, and then Athersmith made an electrifying sprint into the North End had of the field, where Wheldon shot full at Trainor, but the astute custodian saved with his customary dexterity. T. Smith made a fast run along the Preston right, but failed to get in his centre, the ball travelling at too great a pace for him to keep it under control. Stevenson and Evans collided and both had to leave the field for a few minutes, but neither was much hurt. Ecclestone had a capital chance of scoring, but put the ball over from a simple position. T. Smith won a corner for the North End. There was a big laugh as Stevenson returned with his head bandaged up. Campbell gave Athersmith what would have been a good pass, had not the wind spoilt it, but the Preston forwards were often on the aggressive and the game was a most interesting one to watch. Trainor twice had to handle from Smith and Campbell misses the mark by a bare inch. Then Devey headed a second goal, and the interval arrived with the score standing:- Villa, two goals; North End, nothing. The second half opened in favour of Preston, Wilkes having to save i the first minute. A rather serious mistake by Spencer, who centred in front of his own goal, let in the Preston forwards, and Eccleston had no difficulty in obtaining the first point for the visiting side. Campbell was within an ace of putting Villa in a bettie position for the shot when Trainor was out of goal, but Dunn made an unexpected save. Then came a corner kick, Wheldon placed so close to the bar that everyone thought it was out, but it fell in front of the post, and Athersmith managed to smuggle it through. Nothing more was done. Result:- Villa, three goals; Preston North End, one goal.