Jack Grealish punched: Aston Villa midfielder hit by fan on pitch during derby with Birmingham City | The Independent | The Independent Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Not nowYes pleaseUS EditionChangeSupport NowSupport NowMenuMoreThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inNext articleJack Grealish punched: Aston Villa midfielder hit by fan on pitch during derby with Birmingham CitySupporter ran onto the pitch and hit the Villa midfielder in the head from behind before being dragged away by securitySunday 10 March 2019 16:03 GMTCommentsFan runs onto the field to attack Jack Grealish during matchYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. 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We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreA man believed to be a supporter ran onto the pitch during the clash with and punched midfielder in the head.The supporter was seen live on television running onto the pitch and hitting Grealish from behind, before being dragged away by security.The incident came in the ninth minute of the local derby at St Andrews, and leaves Birmingham facing a Football Association investigation for failing to control their fans.West Midlands Police have confirmed that a man was arrested following the incident and has been taken into custody.A post on the West Midlands Twitter account read: “ARREST: Following the incident on the pitch involving an attack on an Aston Villa player; a man has been arrested and en route to a custody block. Further details to follow.”Grealish did well to keep his composure and not react to the assault. His teammates Glenn Whelan and Tammy Abraham initially confronted the attacker before thinking better of retaliating, with security eventually apprehending and removing him from the pitch.Fate would provide a fresh twist in the 67th minute when, of all people, Grealish rifled in a low left-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area to beat goalkeeper Lee Camp and put Villa ahead.Dean Smith’s side held on for the victory, giving Grealish what he described afterwards as “the best day of my life”.The 23-year-old celebrated by leaping into the away end to join the Villa supporters, where he lost a boot and received a yellow card for his efforts.open image in galleryGrealish was assaulted from behind by a Birmingham City fan (Action Images)open image in galleryA number of Grealish‘ teammates confronted the man afterwards (Action Images)open image in galleryGrealish kept his composure and did not react to the assault (Action Images)As the fan who had attacked Grealish left the field, he appeared to gesture in celebration to the Birmingham City fans, blowing kisses to supporters before being passed on to police.The incident drew a number of shocked and concerned messages from past and present footballers astonished at what they had seen.Manchester City and England midfielder Raheem Sterling wrote on Twitter: “Idiot of the year…congrats on your lifetime ban.”West Ham midfielder Declan Rice wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely disgraceful what just happened to Jack Grealish.”Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam said: “Twice in three days we’ve seen players attacked by supporters, what is going on? Football needs to stamp this out quickly. Only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.”Cardiff City’s Harry Arter, on loan from Bournemouth, added: “Would love to see Grealish to score the winner!!”More aboutJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead nextToday’s EditionIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduThe StandardPuzzlesIndependent AdvertisingSyndicationWorking at The IndependentModern Slavery StatementThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in , Birmingham City fan Paul Mitchell attacked Jack Grealish at St Andrew's Stadium when he was playing for Aston Villa before being dragged off the pitch in March 2019., However, soon more Charlton fans gathered, and when the man turned away, one of them kicked him in the back. Just Precious Experience Not giving in to provocations, the fan tried to leave the sector, but his way was blocked by other fans who began throwing objects and pushing him down..