BANNED FOR LIFE

Blues shame as yob hits match-winner Grealish

A BIRMINGHAM fan will be banned for life for attacking Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish during an explosive Second City derby.

Grealish was punched from behind when the thug ran on to the pitch 10 minutes into the game.

He was hit on the side of the head and knocked to the ground in an assault branded “cowardly” by

Villa. A steward finally tackled him as Grealish’s team-mates rushed to protect their skipper.

Villa boss Dean Smith stormed: “Some mindless moron has gone on the pitch and attacked Jack.

“Then you have 15,000 idiots clapping him, which doesn’t help the matter. That’s disgraceful.

“I thought the way Jack handled the whole thing was excellent. One of the lads said there was a steward looking to have a go as well.”

Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane added: “Jack could have been very, very badly hurt.”

The man, wearing a Peaky Blinders hat and a Birmingham City jacket, blew kisses towards the crowd as he was led away by stewards and was then arrested by police.

Birmingham City said in a statement: “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.”

City, already braced for a points deduction over financial fair play rules, can expect at least a big FA fine.

Club officials apologised in person to Villa captain

Grealish, who scored the 67th-minute winner.

A Villa statement said the club was “appalled by the disgraceful attack”.

It added: “A red line has been crossed by this cowardly on-field assault on a player, which is unprecedented in English football.

“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.”

The FA said: “It is a criminal offence to enter the field of play and we will be working with the police, the relevant authorities and the club to ensure the appropriate action is taken.”