Albion players avoid FA action after Villa Park clashes

Albion's players will not face FA action after new footage emerged of clashes with Villa fans following Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final defeat.

A video, filmed by a Villa fan and posted on social media, appeared to show Baggies midfielder James Morrison trip a home supporter as his invaded the pitch and team-mate Callum McManaman block two spectators with his shoulder.

But FA chiefs, who have been made aware of the recording, do not plan to investigate the players as part of their probe into crowd trouble.

The video, which has now been removed from the internet, was taken from the North Stand at Villa Park and showed scenes at the final whistle as Baggies players attempted to escape the field as a third pitch invasion began.

Eye-witnesses at the game reported that McManaman had been struck by a Villa fan but the winger told Baggies officials he had not.

Several Baggies players including McManaman, defender Joleon Lescott and goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, were confronted by Villa fans as they tried to leave the field after Albion's 2-0 defeat.

Villa fans invaded the pitch three times while Baggies supporters threw seats from the upper tier of the North Stand, injuring home spectators.

The FA is investigating the crowd disturbances.

The game, which was highly-charged following Villa's victory in the Premier League against the Baggies five days early, became ill-tempered in the final stages with both sides furious about red cards shown to Albion's Claudio Yacob and Villa's Jack Grealish.

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There were also clashes between rival fans outside the stadium including at the nearby Witton Arms pub.

The fall-out from the game continued for Albion yesterday when former captain Chris Brunt was charged by the FA with using abusive or insulting language to referee Anthony Taylor during a post-match clash in the players' tunnel.

Brunt has until 6pm tomorrow to respond to the charge with the winger expected to request a personal hearing to plead mitigation.

He is likely to cite the anger over Yacob's dismissal and players' fears for their safety during the pitch invasions.

Brunt could face a two-match suspension if the charge is deemed to be proven.