ASTON VILLA V. STOKE The meeting of these teams in the return League match at Aston Lower grounds, Birmingham, drew out a crowd of fully 10,000 spectators. Stoke were powerfully represented, but the Aston Villa team was considerably below its usual strength, on account t of some of the most prominent men being at Glasgow taking part in the International Wheldon, Athersmith, James Cowan and Crabtree were all absentees. In the Stoke eleven was included Wilkes the old Aston Villa goalkeeper. The weather favourable, although there was a stiff breeze blowing, and winning the toss Stoke had the advantage of this in the first half. The Villa were the first to press, and in saving a shot from J Sharp, Wilkes was injured, Fisher netting the ball when the custodian was lying on the ground. As the whistle had previously blown the point went for nothing. The home men continued to press, and forced a corner, which however came to nothing. The Stoke forwards, led by Schofield, broke down the field, and Miller sent in a fine shot, which Whitehouse cleared with difficult. John Cowan bounded to the other end, but he did not part with the ball to advantage, for Rowley cleared with ease. The subsequent play was of a very even character, both elevens being equally matched, and the interval arrived with both elevens pointless. The colours of both clubs are very much alike and some confusion was occasioned through this in the first half. Aston Villa, after the brief rest, returned to the field arrayed in white jerseys. Stoke pressed and led on by Johnson became very dangerous, although the play of both sets of forwards in front of goal was very weak. An injury to Kennedy compelled that player to leave the field, and this little incident did not improve the visitors’ prospects. John Cowan dribbled the ball beautifully through a ruck of opponents, and passing to Sharp, the last named beat Wilkes with a beauty. This infused the first real bit of excitement into the game so far. Stoke played up in determined style, Schofield shooting, and before Whitehouse could get the ball away Molyneux had banged it into the net, and the rivals were once again on equal terms. This incident had taken place exactly two minutes after the goal scored by the home team. Kennedy now returned to the field, although he was limping badly, and the game proceeded on very brisk lines. J Sharp headed clean for the Stoke goal, but Wilkes cleared, the Villa centre being slightly injured in a collision with the Stoke custodian. The game was very fast towards the finish, but nothing further transpired.