Football united behind Fabrice Muamba

Fabrice Muamba today remained critically ill in hospital as the shocked Midlands football family showed their sympathy for the Bolton midfielder's plight.

The 23-year-old former Birmingham City player suffered a cardiac arrest just before half-time during Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final with Tottenham on Saturday.

After unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him on the White Hart Lane pitch he was taken to the London Chest Hospital's heart attack centre where he is in intensive care.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle admitted Muamba's situation is "very serious" while fiancee Shauna Magunda, the mother of his son Joshua, urged everyone to "keep praying for Fabrice".

Villa had been scheduled to host Bolton in a Premier League game tomorrow night but agreed to postpone the fixture.

And Villa boss Alex McLeish, who managed Muamba at Birmingham, admitted he was still stunned after he watched events unfold.

"Like everybody, I am shocked and saddened by what happened to Fabrice. My heart goes out to his family and it is overwhelming to think what they are going through right now," said McLeish.

"I have worked with Fabrice as a player at Birmingham and he has always been a terrific lad, nothing other than the perfect professional. I pray that Fabrice is able to pull through."

Steve Bruce signed Muamba for Birmingham in August 2006, initially on a season-long loan from Arsenal and then in a £4m permanent deal a year later.

He said: "You don't very often find the humility he has – in fact in today's world of football he has unique humility – and I think that comes from his very tough upbringing in the Congo.

"The big thing about him as well is his incredible fitness levels. We all hope he pulls through and makes a full recovery."

Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov offered his sympathy to his playing colleagues at Bolton. He added: "To everyone at Bolton – players, staff, and supporters – we stand with you in what you are going through."