So much has been written and spoken since last Saturday’s events that it is appropriate to try and put the whole matter into perspective and call for an end to the vitriolic commentary in some of the local media.
We do not condone the pitch invasions, they are against the law,but in the circumstances there are mitigating factors and above all there was no malice involved but a tremendous level of relief at winning the game. The conduct of some Albion fans was reprehensible and led to criminal damage and injury to a number of Villa fans. The local media have struggled to achieve a balance in their reports.
It was above all a mistake to stage this game at 17.30 just 4 days after the League fixture. Whilst we acknowledge that there will need to be a full review by Aston Villa after the FA report is produced we do believe that there has been an unnecessary level of condemnation of the actions of a minority of our fans the vast majority of whom behaved in accordance with our proud traditions.
We are pleased to see that some of the most inflammatory comments have now been removed from a website.
