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 (269) 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 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. == First Division == === Matches === Source: avfchistory.co.uk == FA Cup == === First Round === The First Round Proper featured 16 ties between 32 teams. 17 of the 18 First Division sides were given a bye to this round, as were Bolton Wanderers from the Second Division, and non-league Southampton, Portsmouth, Millwall Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur. They joined the ten teams who won in the Intermediate Round. The matches were played on 6 February 1904. === Second Round === The eight Second Round Proper matches were scheduled for 20 February 1904. Tottenham were drawn at home to play Aston Villa, the match started on 20 February but abandoned with the score at 1–0 in Villa's favour after crowd trouble. The FA ordered the game to be replayed at Villa Park and fined Tottenham £350. == Birmingham Senior Cup == == Players == Billy Brawn, 34 appearances Alf Wood, 31 appearances Alex Leake, 30 appearances Joe Bache, 29 appearances Arthur Lockett, 27 appearances Billy George, 27 appearances, conceded 41 Howard Spencer, 25 appearances Joe Pearson, 25 appearances Albert Wilkes, 20 appearances Billy Garraty, 18 appearances Tommy Niblo, 18 appearances Albert Evans, 15 appearances Jasper McLuckie, 15 appearances George Johnson, 13 appearances Micky Noon, 12 appearances Harry Cooch, 9 appearances, conceded 10 Willie Clarke, 2 appearances George Harris, 2 appearances Jack Shutt, 1 appearance Jack Windmill, 1 appearance Freddie Miles, 17 appearances Albert Hall, 11 appearances Mart Watkins, 5 appearances Billy Matthews, 8 appearances == Reserves == The Aston Villa Reserves won the Birmingham & District League for the second year in succession. == References == == Footnotes == == External links == Aston Villa official website avfchistory.co.uk The Matches