ASTON VILLA v. SUNDERLAND. A GRAND STRUGGLE. Weather of the most miserable description prevailed in Birmingham on Saturday, rain falling heavily all morning, and it was still coming down in torrents as the hour for commencement of this match approached. The ground was very heavy, pools of water being noticed all over the pitch. Villa Park is well provided with covered accommodation, and this was taken full advantage of, enthusiasts being huddled together very closely, some 15,000 being in the enclosure, a highly satisfactory attendance when the miserable weather is taken into consideration. Sunderland arrived in Birmingham on Friday, putting up at the Colonnade Hotel, their full team, with the exception of Boyle and Wilson, being forward. The Villa were by no means at full strength, Devey, J. Sharp, Chatt. and Spencer being absentees. Right away the homesters began to press, and when some four minutes from the start Harvey beat Doig lusty cheers were sent up by the crowd. The Wearside forwards broke away in spirited fashion, and when Leslie equalised the game there was great excitement. Athersmith led an attack on Doig, but the Villa sprinter was so well guarded by McNeil that he could not get his centre, Wheldon and John Cowan both had unsuccessful pops at the Sunderland goal, and then Ferguson let his forwards away. Morgan forced a corner, which Evans cleared, and good half-back work by James Cowan and Crabtree changed the siege to Doig’s end. The Sunderland custodian had a warm five minutes of it, but he repelled every effort to break through in masterly style, picking up the heavy ball with wonderful accuracy. Rain was falling pitilessly, and some of the players were now covered with mud from head to foot, but they bent to their work with will, the game being both fast and even. The contest took a turn in favour of the Villa, but the defence of Sunderland was very sound, McNeill and Bach saving in perfect style. Towards the interval, Sunderland had the best of the ordeal and following some good work by Morgan, Brown gave the strangers the load. The Villa attacked, but at half-time the score stood - Sunderland, two goals; Aston Villa, one goal. Both the elevens appeared on the field in clean and dry uniforms on the change of ends, but the rain was still falling heavily when the game was started. Even play characterised the opening stages, but gradually the Villa took the upper hand. John Cowan was making straight for goal, when he was brought down rather heavily by Bach, and the referee, without hesitation, gave a penalty kick, Sunderland protesting vigorously. Wheldon easily beat Doig, and the game was now two all. The excitement was very keen when Sunderland dashed straight away on a restart, and Brown beat George, once again giving the strangers the lead. The light was now very bad, and with the Wearsiders playing in confident style the Villa seemed in for another drubbing, their followers urging them to play up. For twenty minutes the game was desperately contested, and after many unsuccessful attempts — Doig saving all sorts of shots — the home men once more got on terms, the third goal being scrummage through. The shouting was defeaning as the Villa once more burst away, and it was evident that several of the Sunderland men had lost their tempers, fouls being numerous, and nine minutes from the close Athersmith scored for the home team what proved to be the winning goal, a remarkable match ending — Aston Villa, four goals; Sunderland, three goals. --- *The Sheffield Independent* Monday 29 November 1897 ASTON VILLA V. SUNDERLAND The miserable weather no doubt affected the attendance at this game at Birmingham, only about 8,000 turning up to watch the play. Soon after the start Suddick kicked a goal for Aston Villa but three minutes later Leslie made the scores equal. After this the game was very exciting, but Sunderland held their own, and before the interval added to their score, crossing over with a lead of two goals to one. Seven minutes after the interval the Villa made the scores equal again from a penalty kick, but immediately afterwards Brown put Sunderland ahead from a free kick. After this Aston Villa played up in brilliant form, the Sunderland defence being severely tested. Doig however kept goal wonderfully, keeping out shot after shot. At length Harvey made the score three each, and then Wheldon adding another goal won the match for Aston Villa.