ASTON VILLA v. STOKE. This match took place at Stoke yesterday. The home team were minus Eccles, the captain, for whom Capewell appeared, whilst the Villa were short of Athersmith, Cowan, and Crabtree. The gate numbered 12,000. The opening stages were finely contested. Stoke held an advantage for the first ten minutes, Kennedy and Maxwell shooting over. George made two fine saves from Johnson. Then Garfield scored an easy goal for the Villa, and Devey added another. Half time: Villa 2 goals. Stoke nil. Stoke attacked warmly in the second half. Maxwell shot just over, and subsequently missed a grand opportunity. The Villa goal then narrowly escaped in a hot scrimmage. Play continued in favour of Stoke, but both Parsons and Maxwell, the latter with a penalty, missed badly. Stoke afterwards forced several corners, but George kept his goal intact. The Villa reasserted themselves. Wilkes saved from Bowman. Stoke played pluckily to the finish, but failed reduce Villa's lead. Result Aston Villa 2 goals. Stoke nil.