A fan has been arrested after Lucas Digne and Matty Cash were both struck by a bottle as they celebrated Aston Villa’s opener at Everton.
Cash and Digne – who joined Villa from Everton two weeks ago – stayed on the floor momentarily before being able to continue the game, which ended 1-0 to the visitors.
Everton and police were able to identify the individual after analysing CCTV footage from Goodison Park.
Police have arrested a supporter at Goodison Park for throwing a missile onto the pitch during today’s Premier League match against Aston Villa,” an Everton club statement read.
“Several objects were thrown towards the pitch following Aston Villa’s goal at the end of the first half, with one missile appearing to strike two opposition players.
“Investigations in conjunction with the police are ongoing, and the club will issue bans to any fans identified throwing objects.”
A tannoy announcement heard during the second half at Goodison Park said: “This is a club safety announcement. Should anyone be found throwing bottles or any other items on the pitch you will be arrested and banned from the club.”
Following Villa’s 1-0 win, Cash spoke to BT Sportabout the incident: “It was crazy. It hit me straight on the head.
“It’s not nice having that but we got three points, so we’ll take that.”
Asked whether the bottle incident was disgraceful, Everton caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson told BT Sport: “Yes, it is. I obviously never saw it but they shouldn’t be doing that.”
