WEST BROMWICH ALBION v. ASTON VILLA. THE VILLA WIN AFTER A DESPERATE STRUGGLE. The meeting of the two leading Midland teams always creates an immense amount of interest, and this was very manifest on Saturday, when the Villa appeared at Stoney Lane, West Bromwich. On form the contest, looked a snip for the Birmingham team, but no matter how badly the Albion happened to be performing, they can always depended upon to give the Villa a hard run for victory. Both trams were powerfully represented, and it was early apparent in West Bromwich that the game was creating considerable amount of interest. When the rivals took the field there would be 18,000 spectators present. Bassett won the toss, and the Albion played up the hill in the first half. The home right broke away, but over ran ball, and from a foul against Crabtree. Perry endangered the Villa goal until James Cowan cleared. The Villa now had a look in, and from a free kick Reader fisted away. Richards and Garfield raced to the other end and George was called upon, but the visitors' backs came to the rescue, and the danger was cleared. Ding dong work was the order for a considerable time, both teams being evidently very well matched. From a corner the Villa raised a regular siege on the home citadel, but Williams broke through, and cleared. In turn the Albion attacked with vigour, Bassett making a good though unsuccessful attempt to beat George. Thirty minutes from the start Johnson burst clean through the West Bromwich defence, and shot the ball into the net, beyond the reach Reader, amid a regular roar from the crowd. The Albion played up in good style, but nothing further transpired until the interval, the score then being Aston Villa, one goal: West Bromwich Albion, nothing. Immediately the second period was entered upon Bassett led his forwards down but Aston returned the ball in good style. The Villa forwards could not, however, got into their swing, and a further attack, by the home men was wound up by Richards shooting wide of the mark. Sharp was now conspicuous with a sensational run, but there was no one up in time to accept his centre. Urged on by the shouts of their supporters, Albion made Herculean efforts to draw level, and the Birmingham defence was put to the most severe test, but right manfully did George, Aston, and Evans stand to their work. The Villa custodian saved all sorts of shots, and undoubtedly gave the most finished display he has treated us to since his sensational opening performance for the Aston team. Bassett all but broke through, and at this point a halt was called, on account of Williams being injured. He soon recovered, and helped to drive back a spirited attack from Wheldon and John Cowan. The game, which had been far from scientific, now degenerated considerably, and the scrummage in the home goal, Reader and Wheldon looked like having a “dust up” with raw ‘uns. Neither eleven slowed up until the whistle sounded, but no further goals were scored. Result - Aston Villa, one goal; West Bromwich, nil.