Ugly scenes. Disturbing scenes. Crowd trouble. That's what the Villa Park pitch invasion following Saturday's FA Cup tie between Aston Villa and West Brom was labelled.
To be fair, police did make 17 arrests and one Villa fan did sustain a head wound after he was hit with a seat. Boaz Myhill was apparently involved in a confrontation with one fan after he tried to take a selfie with the goalkeeper. Down with that sort of thing.
Still, in the moments after the final whistle as fans rush onto the pitch it looked like a simple case of fans enjoying the moment. It meant progression to an FA Cup semi-final and a day out at Wembley for supporters who have not had much to shout about lately.
This was the type of reaction seen after the game from many, but not all.
#AVFC's massive FA Cup win is marred by ugly scenes at Villa Park, writes @stighefootball: http://t.co/7gD3PtlvJg pic.twitter.com/FVPQe5IeTe
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 7, 2015
Pulis says pitch invasions & ugly scenes that marred Cup tie at Villa Park reminiscent of dark days of 70s and 80s http://t.co/R1wWQZpi9z
— James Ducker (@DuckerTheTimes) March 7, 2015
"Lots of Villages have lost lots of idiots tonight"
Lawro summed it up. Just why do these Numpties behave like this?
— Rob Palmer (@robbopalmer) March 7, 2015
Huge credit to Albion players especially Saido Berahino who stayed calm at full time despite huge provocation from Villa fans. Ugly scenes.
— John Dunn (@John_Dunn77) March 7, 2015
That's really in contrast to the reaction we have to pitch invasions in Ireland. A GAA post-match pitch invasion is magical unleashing of unbridled joy. Most of the time anyway. Martin Sludden probably does not recall the 2010 Leinster Football Final pitch invasion positively.
After the 2013 Munster Hurling Final and the 2013 Ulster Football Final, this was the reaction.
Scenes after Limerick's win yesterday were in such contrast to Croke Park. Bring back pitch invasions, now! #GAA pic.twitter.com/il1iexZDZj
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) July 15, 2013
Pleasure to be in limerick yesterday, been a long time since I've witnessed scenes like this at a Munster final. pic.twitter.com/ZpBajKfwdb
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) July 15, 2013
Hard luck to the cork boys today. Well done to limerick .. Incredible supporters..scenes reminded me of O 'Connell street in 06.
#16thman
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) July 14, 2013
Mighty result for Limerick in the #Munster Final,victory over Cork sees Limerick hurling on the rise,incredible scenes at Gaelic Grounds#gaa
— Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) July 14, 2013
Well done Limerick... amazing scenes at the Gaelic Grounds. First title in 17 years & through to All Ireland semi finals
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) July 14, 2013
Some scenes of celebration from Monaghan today. Congrats to them. pic.twitter.com/LSkXfu03TQ
— Chris McNulty (@chrismcnulty86) July 21, 2013
Congratulations to Monaghan on ulster title,this season has provided some memorable post match scenes.Great achievement for mayo also! #gaa
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) July 21, 2013
Great scenes in Clones.@monaghangaa long wait over.They played with belief in themselves throughout. #GAA #farneyarmy pic.twitter.com/JkYmSS1zgV
— Gordon Manning (@Gordon_Manning) July 21, 2013
Where did we diverge in our attitudes?
