Villa’s goalscoring hero John Carew was delighted to see Saturday’s corner-flag kicking controversy have a happy ending after handing one young fan the perfect Christmas present.

The Norway striker celebrated Saturday’s second-half winner against Stoke by kicking the corner flag only for it to fly into the crowd.

Fortunately, no-one was hurt, but after spotting seven-year-old Sam Clement wearing a Superman T-shirt with Carew emblazoned across it, the forward went to check on his young fan and returned at full-time to give him his shirt.

Carew said: “I was a bit too excited. I didn’t see where the corner flag went. I hoped I didn’t hit anyone and luckily it didn’t.

“I saw this little boy with a Carew shirt there so I had to go over to him to make sure he was OK and after the game I gave him my shirt just in case.

“I guess it was a good Christmas present for him. He had a Carew shirt so I figured he liked me. Getting the shirt must have made his day.”

Sam, from Daventry, said: “He’s my favourite player. When he came over I couldn’t believe it – he has made my Christmas.”

As it turns out, Sam’s mother Helen is Norwegian while his brother Thomas plays for Villa’s academy.

Mrs Clement said: “You should have seen his face! It was a picture. I am Norwegian, so that is probably why he loves Big John so much.

“He was really pleased. I would like to say a big thank you to John and ‘God Ju’ which means Happy Christmas.”