ASTON VILLA v. SUNDERLAND. THE VILLA WIN. AFTER A GRAND STRUGGLE. There are no more popular visitors to Birmingham than Sunderland, and their appearance at Aston Lower Grounds, on Saturday, created an intense amount of interest in Midland football circles. The weather was of the finest possible description, and the Aston Villa Ground was soon in possession of a large crowd, which would number 25,000 when the rivals lined up. Sunderland brought their most powerful eleven, but the Villa were without Johnson, whose place was taken by Devey, Jack Sharp partnering Athersmith on the right wing. There was a stiffish breeze blowing almost straight across the field, and the Aston men winning the toss, Sunderland kicked off. The Villa having the slight advantage from the breeze in the first half. Owing to the recent rains the ground was a trifle heavy. After a breakaway by the Villa forwards, Sunderland secured a free kick, which gave them an opening until Evans got the ball away. Wilson and M'Allister returned, and for a time Aston and Bowman had all their work cut out to keep the strangers from breaking through. A beautiful combined run, in which all the home front line took part, was wound up by Wheldon sending in a shot which Doig cleared amid the plaudits of the onlookers. Offside play against the homesters brought Sunderland relief, and a good piece of work by Wilson, Dunlop, and M’Latchie was wound up by Leslie sending the ball over the bar. The game continued to be of the very fastest description, and both goal-keepers were in turn called upon to save their charges. The Villa dashed down, headed by Devey and in a scrimmage M'Neil deliberately fisted the ball over his own lines. Amid much excitement the referee gave Aston Villa a penalty kick, and Doig came out to the six yards' line. Wheldon being entrusted with the shot. The home player drove the ball hard, but amid loud cheering Doig caught it, and Sunderland, in a twinkling, had the game at the other end. George fisted away from Leslie, and a corner to Sunderland was spoiled through Watson shooting out. In turn the Villa attacked, and from splendid piece of play by Wheldon. Sharp scored the first goal for the home team amid tremendous cheering. The Villa were now fairly on the go, and in the subsequent play Sunderland suffered series of narrow escapes. At half-time the score stood - Aston Villa, one goal: Sunderland, nothing. On the restart Morgan led his forwards down at great pace, and M’Latchie looked dangerous until Aston relieved him of the ball. The strangers were awarded free kick close in, and they made a praiseworthy attempt to draw level, but the home defence was very sound, Athersrmith outwitted Dunlop, and raced away to the other end, but, was too sorely pressed by M'Neill at the finish to steady himself for the final effort. Back came the strangers. Wilson sending in a shot which compelled George to give a corner. This was well placed, but once again George punched away. Cowan getting his forwards on the run to other end. The players kept up a rattling pace. The excitement amongst the onlookers was keen indeed. The Villa were having slightly the best of matters, some of the Sunderland men seeming to tire a little as the game advanced. Putting on full pressure, the Villa forwards swarmed round Doig, and after Wheldon had struck the cross-bar, Sharp rushed up, and catching the ball on the rebound, he beat Doig for the second time. This seemed to place the issue beyond doubt. The final result was Aston Villa, two goals; Sunderland, nothing.