FA want coin thug banned from Aston Villa for life

The English Football Association has called on Aston Villa to hand a life ban to the supporter who struck referee's assistant Phil Sharp with a coin during Saturday's Premier League match against Portsmouth.

Sharp was hit on the head by a coin thrown from behind the Villa Park dug-out towards the end of the goalless draw and needed treatment for several minutes before finishing the game with a plaster on the wound.

The FA will investigate the ugly incident and a spokesman for the English game's governing body admitted they expect Villa to take a tough stance if the culprit is identified.

FA spokesman Andrin Cooper said: “These sort of incidents are absolutely unacceptable. There is no way that match officials should have to worry about their safety at the game.

“There is no place for this sort of behaviour and we will be fully investigating this matter in co-operation with Aston Villa and the police.

“We would fully expect that, if the individual is identified, he would be banned for life.”

Villa are desperate to avoid punishment from the FA for failing to control their fans and determined to find the hooligan.

Club spokesman Steve Tudgay said: “The police and the club are holding a joint investigation. CCTV footage of where the incident occurred will be checked.

“The culprits will be dealt with by the police but, from a club point of view, any culprit will be banned for life. We condemn such actions in the strongest possible terms.”