In a sobering scene that one former player called “diabolical behavior,” a Birmingham City fan ran onto the pitch during the team’s championship match Sunday and attempted to slug Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.
The midfielder was uninjured and scored the game-winner after the incident, which occurred in the 10th minute of the English Football League match in Birmingham. The spectator, clad in a Birmingham City jacket, attacked Grealish from behind, his blow landing on the side of Grealish’s head. The fan was quickly surrounded by players and escorted off by stewards, blowing kisses to the crowd, as a dazed Grealish sat smiling on the St.