ASTON VILLA 1 EVERTON 2 (Game 343)
September 17 1900. The Liverpool Mercury
Fully representative teams of these clubs as will be seen from the list of players, took the field at Aston Park on Saturday, when 30,000 spectators assembled to witness what pointed towards a keen and exciting game. At 3-30 the sides took up their position as follows : – Everton; – Muir goal, Balmer, and Watson backs, Wolstenholmes, Booth and Abbott halfbacks Sharp, McDonald Proudfoot, Settle (captain), and Turner, forwards. Aston Villa: – George, goal, Spencer, and Evans, backs, Bowman, Cowan, and Crabtree halfbacks, Athersmith Decey, Garrirty, Johnson, and Smith, forwards. The Villa had the sun behind them, and at once forced the pace, Johnson early putting in a clinking shot to Muir. Sharp changed the venue, but the Villa continued to be aggressive, and the Everton custodian had to negotiate shots from Smith and Johnson, both of which gave him considerable trouble. Garrirty eventually put through but offside spoiled his effort Breaking away. Settle was placed in possession, and eluding the backs, sent in a clever shot, which completely took the Villa custodian by surprise. This success came close upon half an hour’s play, and Everton retained their lead of one goal to nil up to the interval. The second half opened at a furious pace, and the home side were evidently determined to get upon even terms. However, they encountered most stubborn opposition from Muir and his backs, though on two occasions they exercised but little judgement in attempting to improve simple openings. A clever shot at the other end by McDonald called for a supreme effort by George, and once again the Villa settled down in the Everton quarters. Getting away on the right, a fine centre was misjudged by George, and Turner being in close attendance scored an easy fashion. This second reverse fairly roused the Villa, and for a long period they hovered round the Everton goal. Shot after shot was kept out, but eventually Devey met a partial save from Muir, and reduced the lead. With but few exceptions, the home side were having most of the play, but could not get the better of a strengthened defence, and experienced their first defeat of the season by two goals to one.