Villa fan in plea for flag return

Giant flags measuring 8ft x 3ft belonging to Simon Foxall, from the B6 Company Black Country branch of the supporters club and the Dutch supporters club, went missing after the UEFA Cup game against CSKA Moscow.

The two were among a number of supporters club flags tied to the Holte End balcony with industrial zip ties, as part of the attempts to build the atmosphere for a big European night at Villa Park.

The B6 Company flag is a tricolore of claret, white and blue with the old club badge in the centre, while the Dutch Lions flag is blue with a claret cross with a Dutch flag in the upper-left quarter and a Lion in the lower-right quarter.

Supporters club liaison officer Alan Perrin returned within six minutes of the final whistle to take them down but both had disappeared.

It came on a night when Villa handed out free commemorative flags to all supporters as they entered the turnstiles.

The club are in the process of reviewing CCTV footage in a bid to catch the culprits and are hopeful the flags will be returned at the Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Mr Foxhall, 42, from Brierley Hill, said: "I'm gutted. What's upset me the most is that the club provided everyone with a flag for nothing.

"Someone has decided they are not satisfied with that and it's one of our own supporters. I bought the flag in Southampton and the logo was individually stitched.

"They know these things are not cheap."

Villa spokesman Steve Tudgay added: "This is an unfortunate incident. We will be making every effort to get the flags returned to their rightful owners.

"The club would appeal to any supporters who know anything to get in touch. We do not condone such behaviour."