The 1878–79 English football season was Aston Villa's 5th season, ten years before the creation of the Football League, and the year before the Football Club's first entry into the FA Cup draw. Originally team captains would consult each other in order to resolve any dispute on the pitch. This role was now delegated to an umpire. Each team would bring their own partisan umpire allowing the team captains to concentrate on the game.
Archie Hunter signed for Villa in August 1878. Hunter later recalled in his memoirs;
The Aston Villa Cricket Club commenced its season on 19 April with a victory over an all-England team.Cricket, Birmingham Daily Post, 21 April 1879, p6
Birmingham Senior Cup
Friendlies
References