Burnley football Club have issued a statement condemning an attack on the Aston Villa team bus after they were beaten 3-1 by Unai Emery‘s side at Turf Moor on Sunday.
Reports from the BBC suggest that a brick was thrown through the front window of the Villa coach as they travelled home from the match.
The incident appeared to happen at junction 10 of the M65 approximately two miles away from Burnley’s ground Turf Moor.
A club statement from Burnley read: ‘Burnley Football Club is saddened and dismayed to learn about an attack on the Aston Villa team bus at junction 10 of the M65 after today’s match.
‘Having spoken with Villa we are relieved to hear nobody was hurt in the incident. We strongly condemn this behaviour and will support Lancashire Police in their efforts to find whoever was responsible.’
Supt Melita Worswick, of Lancashire Police, said in a statement: ‘This incident occurred when a great deal of traffic was leaving the area following the football match between Burnley and Aston Villa.
‘It is nothing but good fortune that the brick didn’t cause more damage, or result in somebody being seriously injured or even killed.
‘We cannot say at this point whether this was a targeted attack but enquiries are ongoing and this will form part of our investigation.
‘We are now determined to find the person or people responsible and are asking for anyone with information to get in touch. If you have any information or dashcam which can help us, please contact us as soon as possible.’
Matty Cash scored twice for the Villains today in the space of 12 minutes, opening up his goal scoring account for the new Premier League season, scoring twice from close range to give his side a 2-0 lead.
Lyle Foster got one back for the hosts just after the break but Emery’s side secured their second victory of the season with Moussa Diaby striking a volley into the bottom right corner of the goal.
The result means Villa will move to seventh in the Premier League standings on six points, three points behind Manchester City who sit top of the league.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, meanwhile have lost their opening two league matches to Manchester City and now to Villa, conceding three goals in both games.
Following their opening Premier League fixture, Burnley again condemned behaviour of some individuals inside their stadium, releasing a strong statement claiming that the club would not tolerate supporters throwing objects on to the field of play towards players.
It came after Man City’s Rico Lewis was hit in the head by a lighter during their 3-0 win against Burnley in the opening round of the new Premier League season.
The culprit was reportedly removed by police and is set to receive a ban.
The club said following that incident: ‘Burnley Football Club strongly condemn the unacceptable behaviour of items being thrown and the invasion of the pitch by some of our supporters during Friday night’s Premier League game against Manchester City.
‘The incidents happened during the game and both supporters were identified and removed from the ground. Both of them now face severe banning orders. Such behaviour will not be tolerated at this Club.
‘Investigations on these disappointing incidents are ongoing and any further supporters we identify will also be subject to lengthy banning orders.
‘The Club will not let the actions of any individuals spoil, affect, or jeopardise the enjoyment of all our supporters, the majority of whom enjoyed the return of Premier League football to Turf Moor.
‘Any supporter found to break the safety regulations we have in place at the Club will be identified and handed severe, potentially lifetime bans, from the Club.’
More to follow…
