Two people have been arrested on suspicion of affray and assaulting a police officer [PA Media]Oprah Flash - West MidlandsFri, November 28, 2025 at 5:14 PM UTC·1 min readA total of eight arrests have been made after a Europa League football match between Aston Villa and BSC Young Boys was halted temporarily due to disorder in the away end.
Seats were broken and coins were thrown by away fans in the stands at Villa Park in Birmingham, West Midlands Police said, and officers were assaulted. Villa player Donyell Malen was hit on the head with a plastic cup, thrown as he celebrated his 27th-minute goal.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSix further men were arrested earlier at Birmingham Airport on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and violent disorder.
They were detained after two away fans were held on suspicion of affray and assaulting a police officer on Thursday, and remain in custody.
Villa forward Donyell Malen was struck in the head during the disorder [Getty Images]The disorder broke out in the lower tier of the Doug Ellis Stand during the first half of the tie, which Villa won 2-1.
Supt Paul Minor said violence of any kind would not be tolerated.
"The majority of the crowd was in good spirits but unfortunately a small minority of away fans caused violence and disrupted the game.
"An investigation has been launched, and officers are reviewing body worn video and CCTV from the stadium of the disorder."
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Malen hit by cup as crowd trouble halts Villa game
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