Police officers punched in face at Aston Villa game as fan violence erupts

Two individuals were detained on allegations of affray and assaulting an officer following disturbances in the Doug Ellis Stand's lower section.

Superintendent Paul Minor confirmed on Friday that authorities would not accept violent behaviour at football grounds.

He noted that whilst most spectators behaved appropriately, a small group of visiting supporters caused disorder and interrupted the match.

Police are examining body-worn camera recordings and stadium CCTV as part of their investigation into the incidents.

The Swiss club's travelling contingent of 1,200 supporters was involved in confrontations with officers and stewards positioned around the pitch perimeter.

The Swiss side has accumulated £110,000 in penalties across five separate disciplinary breaches since 2020, with misconduct recorded at matches against Manchester United and Manchester City.

Thursday's disturbances represented an escalation in severity for incidents involving Young Boys supporters in England, with both law enforcement and players becoming targets.

Footage revealed supporters dressed in black and wearing the club's black-and-yellow scarves launching attacks against the security cordon.

Bottles and various projectiles were hurled through the air towards the pitch.

The disorder wasn't confined to clashes with authorities however.

Malen suffered a head wound after being hit by an object whilst celebrating his 27th-minute goal, leaving him with a visible injury.

The striker was targeted again after scoring Villa's second goal to make it 2-0.

The match was suspended temporarily as disorder escalated, with two fans reportedly removed from the crowd and arrested.

Young Boys captain Loris Benito approached the away section to appeal for calm, whilst referee Georgi Kabakov consulted both managers about the deteriorating situation.

Violence resumed later when supporters tore seats from their mountings and launched them at officers, alongside throwing plastic cups from the stands.

The referee warned Benito that continued pitch invasions could result in the match being suspended or abandoned entirely.

Following the interval, tensions subsided and play continued with the away support largely contained.

Officers and stewards had formed a protective barrier around the pitch throughout the match, facing sustained pressure from sections of the Young Boys support.

Malen downplayed the attacks when questioned after the match, stating: "It is what it is. It's fine, it's fine."

Young Boys manager Gerardo Seoane expressed regret following his team's 2-1 defeat.

He said: "I think it's normal when you score a goal that you want to be with your teammates. Maybe (our fans thought) it was a small provocation. This, I don't know."

Seoane acknowledged his supporters' behaviour was unacceptable: "The referee asked our captain to go to our supporters. He was going there to calm it a bit. I think some supporters came down to talk and the police reacted like they would jump into the pitch but was not the intention."

He added: "We don't feel good as the way our supporters are normal is not how we want to act when we are guests somewhere. I think nobody wins at the end everybody loses this situation."

Captain Benito offered a contrasting perspective, suggesting officers had mishandled the situation.

"The police officers had their backs to the pitch. They didn't see me coming and trying to talk to the fans. From then on, it just escalated. The police also acted incorrectly. Their job is to de-escalate, not escalate," he explained.

UEFA has not yet issued a statement regarding the disorder, though significant penalties appear inevitable for Young Boys.

Recent Europa League sanctions demonstrate the likely consequences.

Roma received a £26,274 penalty and partial ground closure this season, whilst Frankfurt must pay £21,895 for their supporters' involvement in the same incident.

Red Star Belgrade faced a £48,169 fine last season after their fans threw objects, ignited pyrotechnics and obstructed stadium walkways during their match against Trabzonspor.

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