STOKE v. ASTON VILLA. These League rivals met on the Victoria Grounds, Stoke, on Saturday when the potters considered they had a shot to pay off the 3-1 defeat they sustained at Birmingham on the first Saturday of the season, and they managed to do it too, for a three to nil victory over the Villa, is one of which the best club in England can be excused for being proud. The Villa played Sharp and Athersmith, The weather of the night and morning, sleet having fallen copiously, made the ground treacherous, but, for all that, the game was a hard and fast one, and the 10,000 persons who assembled had full value for their tanner. After ten minutes’ play a fine run by Maxwell enabled Kennedy to shoot through, but, unfortunately for the “Potters”, B. sharp had fouled Maxwell, and free kick only was allowed. This came to nothing, and at the other end Crabtree just missed with a cross shot. The game was well-contested, and play on either side was of a high order. Johnson put in a smart shot, which George only saved with difficulty, and Stoke continued to show more dangerous tactics in the front. Eventually the Potters found the net a second time. Evans and Maxwell were hurt about the head, and left the field for few minutes. Play after this was extremely vigorous, and the players on either side were continually penalised. The Villa could make no headway against the backs and were a goal in arrears at the change, The Villa were first down when the game was resumed, and Smith had a good chance but missed. Robertson, who had throughout played finely, then “barred” the left wing cleverly, and Clawley saved from Wheldon. Stoke now showed up and Turner shot across the goalmouth. A foul against Stoke almost brought the equalising point, but Johnson proved too slow. Their usual scientific efforts were now disregarded by the Villa. As a result of one of the free kicks against the Villa Kennedy scored a second point for the “Potters”. The Stoke men still went straight for Villa citadel on every possible occasion, and it was quite evident they meant doing more business. George dealt with shots from almost every forward and half-back, the most conspicuous efforts being those of Turner, Maxwell, and Schofield. At last, just when everybody was beginning to despair, Maxwell applied his head timely, and the ball was again netted Result :~Stoke. 3; Villa, 0.