Three police officers injured in violent clashes as fans barred from entering Aston Villa vs Legia Warsaw clash
LEGIA WARSAW fans were denied entry to Villa Park at the start of Thursday night’s crunch Europa Conference League tie against Aston Villa after violence erupted prior to kick off.
Police in riot gear met Legia fans and kettled them into a car park near the stadium but could not prevent trouble breaking out one hour before kick-off.
ReutersLegia Warsaw fans rioted with police as three officers were injured[/caption]
ReutersPolice battled the fans as flares were lit by the travelling support[/caption]
ReutersIt was a chaotic scene outside Villa Park[/caption]
PALegia supporters were furious they could not enter the ground[/caption]
ReutersThe away section of Villa Park was completely empty as Legia fans were denied entry[/caption]
ReutersIt made for a bizarre atmosphere inside the stadium[/caption]
At least three officers were injured as Legia fans hurled missiles at an army of police.
Legia fans were furious after they had their allocation cut from 1700 to 1010 tickets, following violent clashes between Warsaw fans and Dutch police in Alkmaar.
But almost 1,000 ticketless Polish fans vowed to join their support and try to storm Villa Park turnstiles.
West Midlands Police mounted a huge security operation but violent scenes broke out when police began to move Legia fans from their compound to march them to the stadium.
Birmingham Police issued a statement on X to confirm: “We’re currently unable to allow away fans into Villa Park following disorder outside the stadium which has seen missiles thrown at officers.
“Three officers have already been injured and a significant police operation continues. Please avoid Witton Lane where possible.”
And a statement from Villa read: “Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that no away fans were allowed into Villa Park for this evening’s UEFA Europa Conference League fixture with Legia Warsaw on the advice of West Midlands Police following large-scale disorder outside the stadium caused by visiting supporters.”
It continued: “In spite of numerous requests for cooperation from Legia Warsaw concerning their travelling supporters, especially in the last two days, no assistance on the serious safety matter of away fans attending Villa Park was forthcoming from the visiting club.
PALegia had their ticket allocation cut following violence with Dutch police last month[/caption]
ReutersThe police endured a horrid night in the Midlands[/caption]
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“The club has repeatedly, including this morning, raised concerns in conjunction with UEFA and all the relevant authorities to Legia that ticketless away supporters were attempting to attend Villa Park.
“Approximately an hour before kick-off, Legia fans engaged in planned and systematic violent acts against West Midlands Police officers and a decision was then made by West Midlands Police to exclude all Legia supporters.
“Aston Villa strongly condemns the behaviour of those visiting supporters and would like to thank West Midlands Police for their professionalism in very difficult circumstances.”
The match kicked off with the visitors’ section empty as police continued to battle to restore control of the rioting Polish fans.
Footage on social media appeared to show missiles being lobbed at Villa fans from outside the stadium.
On the field, it did not take long for Villa to go in front as Moussa Diaby tucked home the opener after just four minutes.
Ernest Muci levelled things up for the visitor’s midway through the first half, before Alex Moreno put Villa 2-1 in front 13 minutes into the second period.
And that’s how it stayed as Unai Emery’s men moved three points clear at the top of their group.
