ASTON VILLA v. STOKE. ROBERTSON, THE STOKE BACK, DISABLED. In weather of the most brilliant description the football season was duly ushered in at Birmingham, Aston Villa being visited by the Stoke team. When the rivals took to the field there must have been 25,000 spectators present, and the men in charge of the turnstiles were even then hard at work. Since last season marked changes have taken place in the composition of each eleven, Stoke having materially strengthened their team by the inclusion of Clawley, Robertson, Murphy, Kennedy, and Hyslop, while the Villa had also made important additions to their team. A mammoth cheer was sent up when Stoke emerged from the pavilion, the band playing “Auld Lang Syne.” A wild cheer announced the advent of the Villa, headed by Jack Devey, almost immediately afterwards. Wheldon was the only absentee of note from the home team, while Turner (half-back) stood down for the visiting eleven, his place being taken by a promising player named Bradley. There is a similarity between the club colours, and for the nonce the Villa wore red jerseys and white knickers. Stoke disporting themselves in blue and white jerseys and navy blue knickers. The Villa won the toss, and sharp to time Stoke opened the game. The strangers were the first attack. Maxwell and Kennedy leading on a rush, which compelled Evans to concede a corner. For a second or two the ball bobbed about in dangerous proximity to the home goal, Wilkes, the Villa custodian, fisting away one occasion when lying full length on the ground. Play was very even for some time, swinging from end end in the most approved fashion, though gradually the Villa were doing most of the pressing, Athersmith, Johnson, and Devey all distinguishing themselves, and Stoke were hard pressed for several minutes. There did not seem any disposition hurry on the part of several players, and an unfortunate accident to Wilkes, the Villa half-back, stopped proceedings for some minutes, and Wilkes had to temporarily retire. Stoke then had a look in, but not for long, and the return of Wilkes sent the Villa to the front again, and Athersmith scored a grand goal, this being immediately responded to by Farrell, so that at half-time the score was - Aston Villa, one goal; Stoke, one goal. It was found that Robertson had dislocated his left thumb in the interval, and it was set before resuming. Johnson missed scoring by the narrowest shave, and Robertson and Smith both had shots. Then Gaudie had a fine try, Clawley saving brilliantly. The Villa were now pressing hotly, the Stoke defence being now on their mettle, but they responded splendidly, and kept the home team at bay. Fouls relieved the pressure temporarily, but clever work by Crabtree was applauded, and then things quietened down somewhat. Stoke taking up the tale and Wilkes saving from Robertson. Stoke for time were then very prominent owing to some bad play by Evans. Smith, however, got away, and gave Athersmith a good chance, but Eccles interposed, and the visitors tried again, but were forced back, and Villa had the best of the game for the first quarter after the interval. The Villa pressed for some minutes longer, Smith trying very hard to score, but Devey got through, and running hard shot a magnificent goal amidst tremendous applause. Athersmith and Crabtree also made attempts, and Stoke seldom broke away. The home men again attacked, and seventy-one minutes from the start Gaudie beat Clawley for the third time. Stoke retaliated gamely, but the balance of play was in favour of the home team. Nothing further transpired, the result being—Aston Villa, three goals Stoke, one goal.