Dean Smith has stern response to Jack Grealish incident after Aston Villa beat Birmingham City

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Aston Villa beat Birmingham City 1-0 in the Second City derby on Sunday afternoon.

Dean Smith has hit out at the ‘15,000’ Birmingham City fans for ‘clapping off’ the fan who attacked Jack Grealish during Aston Villa’s 1-0 win over Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon at St Andrew’s.

Early in the first half, Grealish was punched by a fan who had run on the pitch, with the individual surrounded by both sets of players and then escorted by the stewards.

On Friday night, during Rangers’ 1-1 draw with Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, defender James Tavernier was confronted by a fan as he went to collect the ball, as reported by Sky Sports

Speaking to Sky Sports Football (10/03/2019) after the match, Smith made reference to that Rangers incident as he criticised the supporter for his actions and called for ‘education’ in society.

“He shouldn’t be allowed on a football pitch,” Smith told Sky Sports Football. “It shouldn’t happen. The security should have been better. Hopefully the lad gets locked up and hopefully, Jack Grealish is okay.

“When you have 15,000 there clapping him on as well, it just doesn’t make it right. I’m all for a local rivalry, but that’s over-stepping the mark. Luckily Jack’s okay and thankfully, he scores the winner for us.

“There was an incident with Rangers against Hibs the other day and another one today. It can’t happen. I think the people in society have to get involved and make sure they educate people because that’s just an uneducated person that has run onto the pitch today.”

In the game itself, Grealish had the last laugh as he scored the winning goal midway through the second half when he picked up the ball from the edge of the area and his well-placed shot found the back of the net.

There is no doubt that Smith’s side deserved all three points as they have now completed the league double over the fierce rivals after beating them 4-2 in November.

Grealish also netted during the reverse fixture as the boyhood Villa fan will be absolutely ecstatic because he has scored the winning goal in his first senior appearance at St Andrew’s.