1903–04 Aston Villa F.C. season


The 1903–04 English football season was Aston Villa's 16th season in the Football League competing in the First Division, the top flight of English football at the time. The season fell in what was to be called Villa's golden era. During the season Howard Spencer was captain of the club.
Freddie Miles made his Villa debut in a 7–3 win at Nottingham Forest on 19 December 1903. During his first season at Villa he developed a good understanding with Howard Spencer.
Arthur Lockett, such a key figure in the Stoke side the previous season, signed for Villa. Jack Windmill signed from Halesowen Town making his debut on 7 November 1903 in a 3–1 home win against Newcastle United. Bert Hall scored six goals in his nine league outings in the 1903–04 season. He was noted as being a hard working outside left player who teamed up well with Joe Bache. Other debuts were Albert Hall, Mart Watkins and Billy Matthews.
In locally organised competition, Villa beat [1903–04 1903–04 Small Heath F.C. season|Small Heath F.C. season|Small Heath] in the first round of the Birmingham Senior Cup. Small Heath had been promoted from the Second Division the previous season. Both matches of the Second City derby ended in draws, 2-2, and 1-1.
Aston Villa had ended the previous season with nine consecutive home wins. Villa faced West Brom in the first home game of the season.

Football League

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultNotesScorers
2 Sep 1903NewcastleSt James'1–1—Joe Bache
5 Sep 1903SunderlandRoker Park1–6—Jasper McLuckie
12 Sep 1903AlbionVilla Park3–1—Jasper McLuckie ; Billy Garraty
19 Sep 1903Small HeathMuntz Street2–2—Joe Pearson ; Billy Garraty
26 Sep 1903EvertonVilla Park3–1—Jasper McLuckie; Albert Wilkes; George Johnson
3 Oct 1903StokeVictoria Road0–2——
10 Oct 1903DerbyVilla Park3–0—Jasper McLuckie; Joe Bache; Tommy Niblo
17 Oct 1903Manchester CityHyde Road0–1——
24 Oct 1903Notts CountyVilla Park4–0—Jasper McLuckie; Arthur Lockett; Billy Garraty; George Johnson
31 Oct 1903Sheffield UnitedBramall Lane2–1—Joe Bache; George Johnson
7 Nov 1903NewcastleVilla Park3–1—Joe Bache
14 Nov 1903WolvesVilla Park2–0—Billy Garraty
21 Nov 1903BoroAyresome1–2—Billy Garraty
28 Nov 1903LiverpoolVilla Park2–1—George Johnson; Billy Brawn
5 Dec 1903BuryGigg Lane2–2—Joe Bache
12 Dec 1903BlackburnVilla Park2–3—Joe Bache; Jasper McLuckie
19 Dec 1903ForestCity Ground7–3—Albert Hall; Joe Bache ; Tommy Niblo
26 Dec 1903WednesdayVilla Park2–1—Tommy Niblo; Billy Brawn
28 Dec 1903DerbyBaseball Ground2–2—Albert Hall
2 Jan 1904SunderlandVilla Park2–0—Tommy Niblo; Arthur Lockett
9 Jan 1904AlbionHawthorns3–1—Joe Bache; Alf Wood; Billy Brawn
16 Jan 1904Small HeathVilla Park1–1—Billy Brawn
23 Jan 1904EvertonGoodison0–1——
30 Jan 1904StokeVilla Park3–1—George Harris; Mart Watkins; Own Goal
13 Feb 1904Manchester CityVilla Park0–1——
27 Feb 1904Sheffield UnitedVilla Park6–1—Jasper McLuckie; Albert Hall; Billy Brawn; Alf Wood
12 Mar 1904WolvesMolineux2–3—Albert Hall
19 Mar 1904BoroVilla Park2–1—Joe Bache
26 Mar 1904LiverpoolAnfield1–1—Alex Leake
1 Apr 1904Notts CountyTrent Bridge0–0——
2 Apr 1904BuryVilla Park0–2——
9 Apr 1904BlackburnEwood3–0—Billy Matthews; Joe Pearson; Billy Garraty
16 Apr 1904ForestVilla Park3–1—Billy Matthews; Billy Garraty; Billy Brawn
23 Apr 1904WednesdayOwlerton2–4—Billy Matthews; Billy Garraty

Source:

Players