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Legia Warsaw fans have been stopped from entering Villa Park for their Europa League clash with Aston Villa on Thursday evening.
Police announced, via a statement, that fans would not be allowed in the stadium after three policeman were injured. The statement read: "We're currently unable to allow away fans into Villa Park following disorder outside the stadium which has seen missiles thrown at officers.
"Three officers have already been injured & a significant policing operation continues. Please avoid Witton Lane where possible." The game kicked off without a delay.
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Birmingham Live reported that the incident occurred at the Legia fans were being escorted to the stadium. Objects were thrown at the police, with the statement confirming that three were injured by the projectiles.
Pictures from outside the stadium showed police on horseback and Legia fans with flares outside Villa Park. The game subsequently kicked off without the Legia fans inside the stadium, with the Polish fans instead being held the car park. Villa fans inside the stadium quickly noticed the lack of the supporters inside the ground, chanting about their lack of support.
Legia Warsaw had been left fuming at Villa's ticket allocation ahead of the game, and shortly before the violence, they released their own statement.
It read: "Aston Villa FC is refusing to allocate tickets to away fans in accordance with UEFA regulations for a UEFA Europa Conference League match.
"Due to the actions taken by Aston Villa FC as the host club, Legia Warszawa informs that its official delegation, management board and the club's owner and president Dariusz Mioduski will not be present at the hosts' stadium during the next UEFA Europa Conference League match.
"Instead of relieving potential pre-match tensions, Aston Villa FC's restrictive measures as the host club unnecessarily exacerbate the atmosphere. In our opinion, such measures are counterproductive and baseless."
Villa could secure a spot in the knockout rounds of the Europa Conference League on Thursday, if they beat Legia. The Polish side, however, have already beaten Unai Emery's side earlier this season on the opening matchday.
- Aston Villa FC
- Europa League
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