With just one FA quarter-final still to be played, as the eagerly awaited clash between Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal takes place at Old Trafford tonight, the Football Association are the latest ones to make their feelings known about Aston Villa's pitch invasions at the weekend. Villa triumphed 2-0 in the Midlands' derby against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, but the images at the end of the match have not endeared them to either their opponents nor the FA it seems.
The FA are believed to have been in contact with both clubs regarding the double pitch invasion, both a few minutes before the final whistle and on the whistle itself.
In scenes reminiscent of football's past, with stewards clearly unable to hold back the masses who wanted to run on to the pitch, hundreds and thousands of fans were able to gain access to the pitch and (far more worryingly) to get their hands on the players themselves. In such a situation there was a clear and evident danger of someone being injured by the over enthusiastic masses. Over-exuberance is one thing, but when there is a real danger to the officials and players, who were unable to get off the pitch in time, then that is clearly not good for the sport.
Not only was there the pitch invasion though, since it has also been made known that seats were thrown from the area in the ground where the West Brom fans were housed.
West Brom issued a statement on Sunday about the incidents, which was essentially in two parts. Regarding the pitch invasions: "Pitch invasions cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. The safety of the Club's players and staff during and at the end of the game was clearly compromised and that has to be a subject of deep concern for everyone involved."
Regarding the accusations against its own supporters: "The club is also aware of reports of serious misbehaviour involving some of its own supporters.
It issues an uncompromising reminder that any supporter found guilty of disorder offences can expect the appropriate sanction from the club."
The FA's reaction was to describe the crowd trouble as "disturbing" and they had made it clear that any offenders who can be identified will face "appropriate punishment."
On the pitch, Villa confirmed their first Wembley appearance for all of five years, as they overcame the Baggies for the second time in less than a week, after their 2-1 mid-week league victory.
After struggling to assert themselves during a goalless first period, the home side took the lead five minutes after the break, when England international Fabian Delph fired his powerful shot through the keeper Boaz Myhill's legs. The visitors missed a great chance to equalise from a Joleon Lescott header and then Saido Berahino outstripped the Villa defence, only to have his prodded shot blocked by the keeper.
Scott Sinclair missed two great opportunities to finish the tie off for the home side, before Claudio Yacob received a second yellow card and got his marching orders for West Brom. That provided Villa with even more space on the break and Sinclair capitalised with only five minutes left, curling his right foot shot into the corner of the net.
There was still time for Villa's Jack Grealish to be sent off before the end, when he received a second booking for what was viewed as simulation on his part. Both teams ended the match with ten men, but the major talking point has clearly been the unwarranted pitch invasions.
