Aston Villa
By Joshua Walters
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was attacked by a fan on the pitch before going on to score the winner in a 1-0 win over crosstown rivals Birmingham City at the Saint Andrews Stadium on Sunday.
Jack Grealish was assaulted in the ninth minute of the game by a pitch invader, who was later identified as Mitchell, who punched the player from behind as he ran onto the field from the Tilton End during the Second City derby.
Grealish, who could not stand the punch, fell to the floor but was not badly hurt as the player was later helped by colleagues from both sides, while the thug was being restrained.
The man, who did not show any signs of remorse after being marched off the pitch by the police, blew kisses into the stands as he received cheers from the supporters.
The incident did not take away the determination of Grealish as he pressed on to find the match-winning goal for his side in the second half of the game.
Birmingham City condemned the incident after the game in a statement and promised to ban the fan for life from the stadium after issuing a public apology to Grealish and Aston Villa.
The statement read: "Birmingham City Football Club would like to apologise to Jack Grealish and Aston Villa Football Club for an incident in this afternoon's derby match.
"We deplore the behaviour of the individual who committed this act and rest assured he will be banned from St Andrew's for life. The club will also support any further punishment this individual may face in the eyes of the law.
"The club will be working with the relevant authorities to investigate all the circumstances and we will be reviewing our stadium safety procedures.
"What happened has no place in football or society. Jack is a Birmingham lad and regardless of club allegiance should not have been subjected to this – there are no excuses.
"Again, we apologise to Jack and all at Aston Villa Football Club."
