Aston Villa’s Europa Conference League clash against Legia Warsaw has been marred by pre-match violence outside Villa Park. Away supporters have been barred from entering the stadium for the crunch Group E meeting after a statement confirmed that three police officers had been injured during the worrying scenes.
Videos emerged on social media less than an hour before kick-off, showing officers penning Legia fans into a car park as they abandoned attempts to escort them into Villa Park.
West Midlands Police later announced that the Polish following wouldn’t be allowed in the stadium to watch their side face Villa.
A statement read: “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 policing operation continues. Please avoid Witton Lane where possible.”
According to Birmingham Live, objects were thrown at police officers as they tried escorting Legia fans to the stadium.
The match kicked off without delay, with Legia’s support kept in the car park, and those in the home sections couldn’t resist chanting about the empty away end.
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Shortly before the violence ensued, Legia aimed fire at Villa on social media after being left livid with their away ticket allocation.
And the Polish club blamed the Premier League high-flyers for failing to diffuse “potential pre-match tensions” in a statement.
“Aston Villa FC is refusing to allocate tickets to away fans in accordance with UEFA regulations for a UEFA Europa Conference League match,” it read.
“Due to the actions taken by Aston Villa FC as the host club, Legia Warszawa informs that its official delegation, management board and the club’s owner and president, Dariusz Mioduski, will not be present at the hosts’ stadium during the next UEFA Europa Conference League match.
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“Instead of relieving potential pre-match tensions, Aston Villa FC’s restrictive measures as the host club unnecessarily exacerbate the atmosphere. In our opinion, such measures are counterproductive and baseless.”
Villa worsened Legia’s woes as Moussa Diaby opened the scoring after just four minutes, sending Unai Emery’s side on their way to the knockout stages.
But Ernest Muci scored a delightful curling effort that those supporters outside the ground would’ve been just as upset for missing to level the score on 20 minutes.
Villa must beat Legia to confirm qualification before the final matchday, recovering after tasting a 3-2 defeat in the reverse fixture at the start of their campaign.
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