London: Aston Villa's win over West Bromwich Albion in a heated FA Cup quarterfinal was marred by crowd trouble on Saturday, with seats thrown by visiting fans and home supporters invading the field during and after the game.
Five days after defeating West Brom to end a 12-match winless run in the Premier League, Villa beat its Midlands rival again in the cup thanks to second-half goals by Fabian Delph and Scott Sinclair in a 2-0 victory. Each side had a player sent off in the closing minutes.
There were worrying scenes toward the end of the derby, as West Brom fans threw seats into the section of the crowd below them containing Villa supporters.
Some Villa supporters jumped over the hoardings and ran onto the pitch during stoppage time in premature celebration, before several hundred fans invaded the field of play as the final whistle sounded. Some Villa players were mobbed by supporters celebrating a huge win for the club, while other players from both teams scrambled to get off the field.
"It's disgraceful," West Brom manager Tony Pulis said. "We don't want to see those scenes. They've beaten us, and for that to happen, that's just mindless idiots."
Delph said his captain's armband and left boot were removed, and that some fans "tried to kiss me and were biting me. It was scary."
Villa manager Tim Sherwood added: "You want to celebrate with the whole crowd. I don't think it's scary. It probably is for a West Brom player. Emotions are running very high after two wins, and it's been a huge week for the football club."
The English Football Association is set to investigate the incidents, and Villa apologized in a statement.
"We are very disappointed that what should have been a very memorable and proud moment for our fans was marred by the actions of those who could not control themselves," Villa said.
In another quarterfinal, third-tier Bradford's chances of playing at Wembley Stadium in the last four remained alive after drawing 0-0 at home to second-tier Reading.
Bradford's run to the latter stages has been the feel-good story of this season's competition, with the team having already eliminated Premier League sides Chelsea and Sunderland.
Liverpool hosts Blackburn on Sunday, and Manchester United is at home to Arsenal on Monday in the other quarterfinals.
Tottenham beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 in the Premier League's only game, with young striker Harry Kane enhancing his reputation with both goals for the visitors at Loftus Road.
Kane underlined his England credentials, and took his tally in the league to 16 goals and in all competitions to 26 goals, by heading in Andros Townsend's cross in the 34th minute and then finishing off a pass from Ryan Mason in the 68th.
Sandro, a former Spurs player, scored late for QPR, which fell to a seventh defeat in eight league games and stayed third from bottom.
The win moved Spurs up to sixth and within three points of fourth-place Manchester United.
