Some visiting supporters to Villa Park appeared to rip out their plastic seats and used them as missiles which were hurled at Aston Villa supporters directly below them.
There were also two pitch invasions before the final whistle and then fans went onto the turf in larger numbers once a 2-0 win for the home side was confirmed by the ending of the match.
Fabian Delph, scorer of one of the Villa goals that ensured his team’s place at Wembley for a semi-final, described the scenes as “scary” and claimed he was bitten.
“It was dangerous,” said the midfielder. “People tried to kiss me and were biting me.” He also added that it was “very, very scary”.
West Brom substitute Calum McManaman appeared to be assaulted during the last of the three invasions.
A spokesperson for the FA said today the investigation into the incidents will begin on Monday.
“There is no progress on last night except the FA knows about it and intends to look into it thoroughly,” the spokesperson said.
A view of the scenes as fans entered the pitch during Aston Villa’s FA Cup tie with West Brom
Villa have already apologised for the problems.
“The club does not condone supporters invading the field of play under any circumstances,” a Villa statement read.
“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.
“They have let both themselves and their club down.
“The club extends its sincere apologies to the Football Association, the West Bromwich Albion directors, manager Tony Pulis and all his staff and players.”
Albion boss Pulis criticised the stewarding at Villa Park and felt the players’ safety was in jeopardy but confirmed his squad were fine.He said: “It puts the players in danger and we don’t want to see that. We were seeing it in the 1970s and 80s and we don’t want to get back to that.
“I actually think Villa should look at the stewarding.”
A view of the scenes as fans entered the pitch during Aston Villa’s FA Cup tie with West Brom
Delph scored his first goal in a year before former West Brom loanee Scott Sinclair added a second late on.
Claudio Yacob and Jack Grealish were also sent off after collecting two bookings as both sides finished with 10 men.
