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 apology 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.

Reading fans spill onto the pitch at the Madejski Stadium