ASTON VILLA V. BLACKBURN ROVERS The encounter between these teams occasioned a good deal of interest in Midland football circles, although, prior to the start, the Villa were looked upon as almost certain to collar the brace of points. The weather was of a cold, blusterous nature, and rain fell at intervals just previous to the hour fixed for the start. This may have kept many away, for the attendance, 18,000, was by no means so large as generally lines the Villa enclosure. The home team was at full strength, but the strangers were in a fix as regards their custodian, the position being given to Knowles, the reserve man. There was a strong wind blowing from goal to goal, and, winning the toss, the Villa set their rivals to face this at the outset. The opening was of a most sensational character, for straight away the Rovers forced a corner, and in less than a minute from the start the ball was driven into the Villa net by Hulse. The homesters retaliated powerfully, and after Wheldon had just shot past, Smith sent in a beauty, which Knowles did well to clear, while from a corner the champions just missed the mark by inches. After a spell of defensive work, Hulse outwitted Cowan, and the visitors looked dangerous until Spencer gave the the right-about. The Champions attacked vigorously, and twice Athersmith, with terrific shots, just skimmed the bar. A surprise break away by William and Crook, followed by a feeble kick by Evans, led up to an unproductive corner for Blackburn. Then followed a spirited onslaught on the Rovers’ goal, Knowles twice scoping out deadly efforts by Smith and Athersmith, while from long range, Devey and Bowman had really hard lines with brilliant attempts. Every break away by the strangers seemed to spell danger, and on one occasion a shot from Williams rebounded off the post when the backs were beaten. Try as they would the Villa could not get on terms, Knowles clearing brilliantly a powerful effort by Wheldon, while Brandon completely relieved the pressure. Rain had been falling heavily throughout the greater portion of this half, and the players were now drenched to the skin. The Villa returned, and after half and hour’s play Wheldon equalised amid uproarious cheering. The balance of play was in favour of the Champions, but at the interval the score was still one goal each. Both elevens came out in fresh attire to resume the struggle, the storm having now abated. Wheldon shot past in the opening minute, and from a corner the home goal suffered a narrow escape. Athersmith raced to the other end and Steve Smith got clear away beating Brandon, but Compton crossed over and cleared in time. The Villa pressed hard, and Garraty sent in a hot one from which shivered the cross bar, amid cries of “Oh!” from every corner of the ground. Both goals were in turn endangered, but the balance of play was decidedly in favour of the Champions, who had, however, cruel luck in front of Knowles, Brandon, Crompton, or M’Clure always popping up at the right minute and clearing imminent danger, while from a corner the Rovers’ goal had a very narrow escape. Twenty minutes from time Jack Devey changed places with Garraty, and the alteration was almost immediately successful, for following a sharp attack the Villa captain gave the Champions the lead. The Rovers now attacked furiously but were repulsed, and taking the game in hand again, Devey scored a third goal for the homesters. Result: Aston Villa, three goals; Blackburn Rovers, one.