Aston Villa secured their spot in the knockout stages of the Europa Meeting League on a evening tarnished by violent behaviour from Legia Warsaw followers exterior Villa Park as a few law enforcement officers had been hurt exterior the ground.
Villa’s 2-1 acquire was overshadowed by ugly scenes before kick-off as missiles had been thrown at officers by the travelling supporters, with in excess of 1,000 estimated ticketless supporters building the trip to Birmingham.
Subsequently, none of the travelling aid were being permitted inside of the absent conclude for the match with chaos unfolding outside and several supporters arrested as the activity commenced.
An formal statement from Villa claimed: ‘Approximately an hour right before kick-off, Legia supporters engaged in prepared and systematic violent acts in opposition to West Midlands Law enforcement officers and a conclusion was then manufactured by West Midlands Police to exclude all Legia supporters.’
Legia were being unhappy with their lowered allocation just after Villa lowered the amount of money of absent tickets to just 1,002 previously this thirty day period, centered on suggestions from basic safety authorities as a end result of previous massive-scale condition caused by Legia fans past month at AZ Alkmaar when a quantity of Dutch law enforcement officers were being wounded.
Aston Villa secured a tricky-fought 2-1 get around Legia Warsaw to seal place in Convention League knockout levels
Unai Emery’s adult males secured passage into the upcoming round with a video game to spare as they quelled a fightback from the Polish facet
Moussa Diaby had set the Leading League facet in advance in the opening 4 minutes at Villa Park
Ernest Muci’s beautiful complete shocked Villa as he curled into the prime corner from distance
Your browser does not aid iframes.
The Polish club’s enthusiasts had been then banned from their following European absent fixture at Zrinjski Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
UEFA competition rules allow the traveling to team 5 for every cent of the stadium’s potential, which would equivalent to 2,100 tickets at Villa Park.
In an formal assertion from Legia, the Polish aspect accused Villa of refusing to allocate tickets to away followers in accordance with UEFA regulations. Legia claimed that they ‘made a official ask for for this allocation’ but were ‘met with an unwelcome rejection’ ahead of a proposal of 1,700 tickets – mirroring the amount allocated to Villa supporters for the activity in Warsaw in September. That proposal was accepted in September right before Villa knowledgeable Legia on November 2 that the allocation would be slashed.
The assertion explained: ‘Instead of diffusing opportunity pre-match tensions, restrictive actions of Aston Villa F.C. as the host club needlessly exacerbate the atmosphere. In our perspective, such measures are counterproductive and unfounded.’
But Alex Moreno netted his to start with Villa purpose as he volleyed property from a corner in the next fifty percent
The Spaniard celebrated wildly soon after getting off the mark for the Midlands outfit
Legia CEO Marcin Herra added: ‘From the beginning, Legia Warsaw aimed to have the variety of our club’s followers in the stands in Birmingham as approved by UEFA regulation, and as it was the scenario with Aston Villa enthusiasts in Warsaw.
The habits of the household team’s associates just before present-day match led to an needless escalation of destructive feelings. However, VIP visitors and Legia Warsaw sponsors also suffered, as they have been hindered from obtaining tickets and for that reason prevented from getting into the stadium. This is incompatible with all specifications for UEFA matches.’
Legia admirers have record in England, with 3 adult males sentenced in 2021 just after 14 officers have been attacked and hurt during a Europa League sport amongst Leicester and Legia.
The Villa statement included: ‘In spite of a lot of requests for cooperation from Legia Warsaw concerning their travelling supporters, particularly in the very last two times, no help on the significant basic safety matter of absent supporters attending Villa Park was forthcoming from the viewing club.
The club has repeatedly elevated concerns in conjunction with UEFA and all the applicable authorities to Legia that ticketless absent supporters have been attempting to attend Villa Park.
The match was overshadowed by clashes amongst Legia Warsaw supporters and police
Polish supporters lit off flares as the clashes turned unpleasant in advance of kick off in Birmingham
No Legia Warsaw fans were permitted to attend the sport just after the violent clashes
Villa had previously certified for the knockout phase immediately after AZ Alkmaar beat Zrinjski Mojstar in the previously match and Unai Emery’s side went into the contest being aware of that a two-objective win would protected their position in the very last 16, by advantage of profitable the group.
The team who finish second in the team would have to participate in two extra online games in February in the engage in-off round to qualify for the previous 16.
Unai Emery produced 6 modifications from the side that conquer Tottenham on Sunday and it took just 4 minutes for them to choose the guide with the first attack of the video game.
Youri Tielemans place Moussa Diaby by way of and the Frenchman slice in before curling a remaining-footed strike into the base corner.
On the 20th minute mark, Legia equalised many thanks to a fantastic complete from Ernest Muci just after Boubacar Kamara carelessly gave the ball absent in his possess 50 percent.
Villa restored their lead on the hour mark when Douglas Luiz’s no cost-kick from deep picked out Alex Moreno, who concluded very well.