FA ready to examine Cup tie trouble as Villa apologise
The Football Association has confirmed it will launch a “thorough” investigation into the crowd problems that marred Aston Villa’s FA Cup win over West Brom.
Albion supporters threw seats at Villa Park and there were two pitch invasions before fans ran on to the playing surface again at the final whistle.
Villa won the game 2-0 to book their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
A spokesperson for the FA said the investigation into the incidents will begin on Monday.
“There is no progress on last night except the FA knows about it and intends to look into it thoroughly,” the spokesperson said.
Villa have already apologised for the problems.
”The club does not condone supporters invading the field of play under any circumstances,” a Villa statement read.
”We are very disappointed that what should have been a very memorable and proud moment for our fans was marred by the actions of those who could not control themselves. They have let both themselves and their club down.
”The club extends its sincere apologies to the Football Association, the West Bromwich Albion directors, manager Tony Pulis and all his staff and players.”
Albion boss Pulis criticised the stewarding at Villa Park and felt the players’ safety was in jeopardy but confirmed his squad were fine.
He said: ”It puts the players in danger and we don’t want to see that. We were seeing it in the 1970s and 80s and we don’t want to get back to that. I actually think Villa should look at the stewarding.”
Fabian Delph, who described the pitch invasion as ”scary”, scored his first goal in a year before former West Brom loanee Scott Sinclair added a second late on.
Claudio Yacob and Jack Grealish were also sent off after collecting two bookings as both sides finished with 10 men.
