New CCTV footage is released from Aston Villa’s team bus after the front window was smashed by a BRICK, as police hunt for thugs who targeted it after their 3-1 away win at Burnley
- The incident took place as the bus joined the M65 after the Premier League clash
- Lancashire Police Supt claimed the incident could have been ‘so much worse’
- Would Mohamed Salah ‘do the dirty’ on Liverpool by leaving? And what about Man United ‘diving’?: Listen to ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ , Mail Sport’s new podcast
Footage has been released showing Aston Villa’s team bus being hit by a projectile as they made their way back home from a 3-1 win at Burnley at the weekend.
Villa continued to bounce back from a disappointing drubbing by Newcastle in their opening game, winning their next two games in a row, scoring seven goals with the concession of just one in the Premier League.
At Turf Moor it was right back Matty Cash who was the unlikely hero, scoring twice, before Moussa Diaby’s third made sure of all three points against Vincent Kompany’s newly-promoted side.
But the action did not finish there, with the Villans unable to return home entirely unscathed, as their bus had a window smashed with a brick.
The incident took place on Junction 10 of the M65, as Unai Emery’s side made their way back to the West Midlands, and fortunately none on board were injured.
Footage released by Lancashire Police shows the brick emerging from an area near Junction 10 on the M65
The brick then smashed into the window on ht left near to the driver of the Aston Villa team bus
Unai Emery’s (left) Aston Villa beat Vincent Kompany’s Burnley at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Sunday
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Lancashire police released footage of the incident, as well as a statement, which read: ‘CCTV from the Aston Villa team coach shows the moment a brick was thrown at it as it entered the M65 motorway at J10 on Sunday (Aug 27) following the Burnley match. The incident was around 5.15pm. Info? Call 101, log 480 of Aug 27.’
The clip shows the bus joining the motorway, with a projectile emerging from an area of foliage by the side of the road caught on camera as it smashed into the window of the vehicle.
The brick is thought to have caused considerable damage to the bus, and a man was initially arrested by police in connection with the incident, only to later be released after it was found he had no involvement.
Supt Melita Worswick of Lancashire Police added: ‘This incident could have been so much worse and it is nothing but good luck that nobody was injured.
‘The coach driver could have been injured by the broken glass, causing him to swerve into another vehicle, or another vehicle could have been hit by the brick. There could have been serious injuries or even fatalities. For this reason we are taking this incident extremely seriously.
‘We have now released CCTV footage from the coach and are asking anybody who recognises the two men on the left to get in touch. We appreciate the footage of them is quite grainy, but one is wearing distinctive clothing and this may help somebody recognise them.
‘The area was busy when the incident occurred, with bank holiday traffic and people leaving the area following the football match between Burnley and Aston Villa, and we believe there will be people out there who have not yet spoken to us, who either saw who was responsible or has dashcam showing the men more clearly. Whatever information you have please get in touch.’
Burnley were quick to add their own comment after the incident, stating that they were ‘saddened’ by the event, and had contacted Sunday’s opposition after the fact.
Matty Cash (left) was the unlikely hero on Sunday with his first half double from right back
An official statement from Burnley stated that the club were saddened to have learned about ‘an attack’
It has been a far from dream return to the top-flight from the Clarets, conceding three in front of a home crowd in both of their opening two games
‘Burnley Football Club is saddened and dismayed to learn about an attack on the Aston Villa team bus at junction 10 of the M65 after today’s match,’ read the club’s statement.
‘Having spoken with Villa we are relieved to hear nobody was hurt in the incident. We strongly condemn this behaviour and will support Lancashire Police in their efforts to find whoever was responsible.’
Aston Villa are now up into seventh spot in the league standings after three games, with six points from a possible nine as they make a strong start to 2023-24, as well as having put themselves in a strong position to progress to the Conference League proper.
Meanwhile Burnley have had a less than ideal start on their return to the top-flight, losing both their outings – including a defeat to Manchester City on opening night – either side of a postponed clash with fellow newboys Luton Town.
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