Pitch invader punches Villa\'s Grealish during derby at Birmingham

SHOWS: BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, UK (MARCH 10, 2019) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS PICTURES - EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (MUTE) 1.

TWO STILLS - SPECTATOR ATTACKING ASTON VILLA'S JACK GREALISH 2.

STILL - ATTACKER BEING HELD BY STEWARD IN ORANGE JACKET AND CONFRONTED BY ASTON VILLA PLAYER GLENN WHELAN AS GREALISH SITS ON THE PITCH 3.

STILL - CROPPED IMAGE OF ATTACKER BEING HELD BY STEWARD 4.

STILL - ATTACKER SURROUNDED BY ANGRY ASTON VILLA PLAYERS 5.

TWO STILLS - ATTACKER BEING LED FROM PITCH 6.

STILL - GREALISH BEING HELPED TO HIS FEET BY BIRMINGHAM PLAYERS STORY: Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish was punched in the face by a pitch invader during Sunday's (March 10) English Championship (second-tier) derby match at Birmingham City.

The supporter ran on to the pitch at St Andrew's Stadium and made a beeline for Grealish, who did not see him coming, before landing a punch to the side of his face.

Grealish fell to the turf as a steward along with Villa players Glenn Whelan and Tammy Abraham caught the man and dragged him away from the spot.

The Villa captain got to his feet a few seconds later, apparently unhurt, and the match continued after stewards and security personnel had ushered the man, seen blowing kisses to the crowd, off the pitch.

West Midlands police said later a man had been arrested.

Grealish went on to score the only goal of the game after 67 minutes to give Villa victory.

(Production: Jim Hatley)