Aston Villa & Reading charged over FA Cup pitch invasions

Aston Villa have been charged by the Football Association for the pitch invasion at the end of their 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win against West Brom.

Some home fans ran on to the Villa Park pitch in injury time and at full-time while seats were thrown from the away fans' stand at the match on 7 March.

A number of West Brom players appeared to be pushed by fans on the pitch.

Reading face the same charge after supporters encroached on to the pitch in their last-eight win over Bradford.

Both Aston Villa and Reading have until 23 April to respond to the charge.

The FA - which could give both clubs a heavy fine - described the scenes at Villa Park as "disturbing".

West Brom used the same term as they accepted Villa's public apologyexternal-link for the incidents "in the spirit with which it was intended".

Cheshire Police's Mark Roberts, the national lead officer for football policing, questioned playing the tie at 17:30 GMT on a Saturday evening.

Villa went on to beat Liverpool to take their place in their first FA Cup final since 2000. They will play Arsenal, who overcame Reading after extra-time in the other semi-final.

Madejski Stadium
Reading fans spill onto the pitch at the Madejski Stadium