March 24, 1900
Match, Football League, at Aston Lower Grounds, kick-off: 15:30.
Aston Villa – Liverpool 1-0 (0-0).
Attendance: 15,000.
Referee: Mr. J.H. Strawson.
Aston Villa (2-3-5): Billy George, Howard Spencer, Albert Evans, Tommy Bowman, Jimmy Cowan, Jimmy Crabtree, Charles Athersmith, Jack Devey, Billy Garraty, Fred Wheldon, Steve Smith.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Bill Perkins, Archie Goldie, Billy Dunlop, Charlie Wilson, Alex Raisbeck (C), William Goldie, John Cox, Hugh Morgan, Charles Satterthwaite, Johnny Walker, Tom Robertson.
The goals: 1-0 Devey (55 min.).
In view of the much improved form shown by the Liverpool team in their recent games, considerable interest was manifested in the return game between the above clubs at Birmingham. Liverpool were minus Raybould, who was injured the previous week, whilst the Villa were represented by precisely the same team that defeated the Anfield Club in the deciding game of the championship last season.
1st Half:
** Liverpool commenced, and immediately forced the play, Robertson sending behind.
** A clever movement on the left wing was spoiled by offside play, and the Villa front rank bearing down, Dunlop relieved with a timely kick.
** Liverpool were the more prominent, and George had to fist away from Robertson, but the Villa retaliated, and Bowman sent wide.
** The Liverpool goal then had a narrow escape, for, after Perkins had repelled a nasty header form Garratty, Wheldon sent just outside the upright.
** Clever play by the Liverpool forwards was checked by Spencer, and as the interval approached the Villa put on great pressure, but failed to score.
2nd Half:
** After the resumption the Villa showed better form, but the Liverpool halves held them well in hand.
** GOAL: After ten minutes’ play Wheldon centred, and Devey headed past Perkins, thus scoring what proved to be the only goal of the match.
** Liverpool attacked strongly after this reverse, and George cleared thrice in quick succession from corners, the play continuing to be evenly and stubbornly contested.
** The Villa were penned in their own half, but owing to the sound defence of their backs, Liverpool rarely got within shooting range.
** Interesting exchanges in midfield prevailed, and the Liverpool backs dealt efficiently with every effort of their opponents.
** Aided by the fine work of their halves the Liverpool forwards made several determined efforts, and but for the clever defence of Spencer and Evans must undoubtedly have equalised. As it was, they were unable to get through, and were defeated by the narrowest score possible.
(Liverpool Mercury, 26-03-1900)
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Jimmy Crabtree, Aston Villa (Lloyd’s Weekly News: February 3, 1895):
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Charles Athersmith, Aston Villa (Lloyd’s Weekly News: November 6, 1892):
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Jack Devey, Aston Villa (Lloyd’s Weekly News: March 24, 1895):
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"Play Up, Liverpool" 