SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 4 hrs 30 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
BL
Championship | Gameweek 36
Mar 10, 2019 at 12pm UK
 
AV

0-1

 
FT(HT: 0-0)
Grealish (67')

Grealish delighted to respond to assault with goal on dark day for football

:Headline: Grealish delighted to respond to assault with goal on dark day for football: ID:352954: from db_amp
Villa captain scores the winner after Birmingham after fan runs on the field and assaults him, with Manchester United's Chris Smalling later ran at.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish celebrated the 'best day of his life' after he recovered from being punched by a pitch invader to score the derby winner at Birmingham.

The 23-year-old was struck on the side of the head by a spectator in a flat cap who ran on to the field less than 10 minutes into the match before throwing a punch from behind the midfielder as he stood in the Birmingham penalty area.

The intruder, who Blues later confirmed would be banned for life from St Andrew's, was quickly restrained by stewards as several other Villa players rushed in to confront him. He was led away by police, blowing kisses to the crowd as he left.

It was the first of two troubling incidents on Sunday, with a fan later getting on the field during Arsenal's win over Manchester United and appearing to aim a push at England defender Chris Smalling.

On Friday, Rangers captain James Tavernier found himself face to face with a fan who had jumped out of the Hiberian support before being led away.

In relation to the Grealish incident, West Midlands police confirmed a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of encroachment on to the pitch and assault and remained in custody for questioning.

Grealish thankfully appeared unhurt and was comforted by team-mates and opponents. He went on to net the only goal with a low, angled shot in the second half, leaping jubilantly in to the Villa supporters to celebrate and earning himself a yellow card.

He told Sky Sports Football: "Best day of my life. To come here, captain Aston Villa and score the winner is what dreams are made of, especially for me as a Villa fan."

Jack Grealish celebrates scoring the winner for Aston Villa against Birmingham (Nick Potts/PA)

Regarding the incident with the spectator, he added: "I was just unaware at the time, I was walking into position and then just felt a whack around the side of the face.

"Obviously there's rivalry and stuff in football, but I don't think there's any place for that really.

"I just tried to get on with my job. To score the winner was unbelievable. After what happened in the first half I think it was set up for it."

“To score the winner was unbelievable. After what happened in the first half I think it was set up for it.”
- Jack Grealish

His team-mate Conor Hourihane branded the attack "absolutely disgusting," adding: "Full credit to (Grealish), he showed his class, got the winner and had the last laugh and it's a fantastic three points for us."

It was only Grealish's second game back from a long-term injury – he marked his return last week by scoring a stunning volley against Derby, while he also scored in November's 4-2 win over Blues at Villa Park.

Villa said they were "appalled" by the "disgraceful attack" and called on the culprit to feel "the full force of the law".

Jack Grealish was punched by a spectator who ran on to the pitch less than 10 minutes into the match (Sky Sports/PA)

A club statement read: "A red line has been crossed by this cowardly on-field assault on a player, which is unprecedented in English football.

"We trust the perpetrator will feel the full force of the law and the authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding today's deplorable incident.

"Local rivalries are part of the fabric of the game. However, as we are sure our friends at Birmingham City would agree, to have a player's personal safety placed under such jeopardy is a serious cause for concern for the entire football community."

Birmingham apologised to Grealish and their rivals and said they would undertake a review of their safety procedures.

A statement read: "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."

The English Football League and Football Association also condemned the attack.

amp_article__352954 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-10 20:00:03:
html db last update - 2019-03-10 20:00:03 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Jack Grealish

Click here for more stories about Aston Villa

Share this article now:
Read more about Jack Grealish Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .