ASTON VILLA 4 EVERTON 0 (Game 514)
September 25, 1905. The Liverpool Courier
EVERTON’S DECISIVE DEFEAT
BITTER EXPERIENCE AT BIRMINGHAM
The outcome of Everton’s visit to Aston Villa was a great shock to the club’s vast army of supporters. There is never any disgrace in being beaten on the Villa’s ground, but invariably the struggle between the two clubs have been exceedingly close. A thrashing by four clear goals is an indignity which, the Evertonians will not forget for some time to come. Moreover, it came almost on top of an even more decisive defeat (5-0), which the Villa inflicted upon Liverpool. Thus early in the season the cupholders have taken four points out of out two clubs by the very substantial margin of nine goals to nothing. There ought to be reckoning when the return visits are paid to this city. If memory services in the long series of League encounters between Everton and the Villa, this four goals to nil is about the most pronounced which has been recorded. And the worst of it is, there was
noting like such a disparity between the teams. The Villa’s first and second goals had more than an element of luck about them, but the other two were all right and let it be at once be admitted, the Villa fully earned their couple of points.
EVEN FIRST HALF.
It was a very enjoyable opening half from the point of view of the spectators. The great rivals gave of their best, and with the grand in excellent conditions the pace was terrific while the rapid changes in the fortunes of the side made the game intensely interesting. Everton if anything played rather more attractive football than the Cup holders, but the determination of the home team was always threatening danger. Quite early on Everton experienced a stroke of rank bad luck. Sharp’s pace enabled him to outwit both Windmill and Miles, and from his centre, Rankin banged in a dazzlingly shot, which had George beaten all the way. Unfortunately for Everton the Ball rebound from underpart of the crossbar and Howard Spencer in a twinkling had it cleared. The half-way line, who knows what would have happened if only that ball had bounded the way into the net. Still it all in the game, and it was Aston Villa who got the first point, when scoring from a rebound off Balmer, with Scott in a helpless position, was distinctly as lucky as Rankin’s effort had been otherwise. Up to the interval Everton fought hard to obtain an equaliser, but, though Spencer hurt his knee and had to retire, they could make no impression on the home defence.
EVERTON’S DISCOMFITURE.
The second half was in striking contrast to the earlier position of the proceedings. The Villa started off with exhilarating dash, and in the very first minute both Bache and Hall missed an open goal. Still only a few minutes passed and the home team were two goals up. This time Scott was evidently caught napping by Hampton; as a matter of fact, if he had paid more attentions Garratty’s shot and less to the centre forward the goal might have been saved. With fortune on their side the Villa after this were irresistible, while the effects of their opponents were singularly disjointed. Even when Sharp and Rankin changed places, there was little improvement and when Hampton with a brilliant effort put on a third goal, Everton’s doom was sealed. They gave occasional glimpse of their old form, but they were merely flashes in the pan. One hoped that they might reproduce a little of the magnificent display in the closing stages of the memorable semi-final replay at Nottingham, instead of which, as the saying goes, they could not raise a gallop, and their discomfiture was complete when Hall registered the fourth goal.
THE PLAYERS.
With only three points out of four games, the Everton representatives will have to look to their laurels. So far they have failed to attain their standard of last season. This will not do if the club are to maintain the position they have so long held. Although Booth is perforce standing down, the class of players at command surely ought to practice better results. Granting the ill-luck which was their portion against the Villa, the falling away in the second half was not at all pleasant for the may supporters who travelled to Birmingham to witness the game. Scott was not so successful as in previous games this season, but beyond his lack of judgement in dealing with the shot which led in the second goal, he was not to blame for the defeat. The backs were far from safe when subjected to severe pressure, and Balmer, as also Taylor seemed to lose his temper somewhat unnecessarily, with the result that the comments of the crowd were very outspoken. The halves were singularily uneven. At times their work was excellent, but in the later stages they were unable to cope with the brilliant combination of the Villa attacking forces. The forwards were good and bad by turns. Sharp and Hardman got in some capital centers, and Settle at times was as clever as ever. Young was responsible for some smart bits of work, but Rankin is obviously unfitted for an inside position. Apart from that one shot, which certainly deserved to score, his display presented little merit. At the same time it must be remembered that he has few opportunities of gaining experience in first-class company. As for the Villa, when once their position was safe they played their typical cup tie game. The forwards have a happy knack of going for goal for all they are worth. They have two fine outside men, in Brawn and Hall, and in Hampton a centre forward who is as daring as he is resourceful. Windmill was the pick of the halves, while in view of Spencer’s injured knee, Miles was the shining light at full back. It is to be hoped that when Abbott and McLoughlin are again available, Everton will come back to their old form.
Teams: – Aston Villa: – George, goal, Spencer, and Miles, backs Pearson Leake, and Windmill half-backs, Brown, Garratty, Hampton Bache and Hall, forwards. Everton: – Scott, goal, W.Balmer, and Crelly, backs, Makepeace, Taylor (captain), and Black half-backs, Sharp, Rankin Young, Settle, and Hardman forwards. Referee Mr. Whittaker.