THE scenes that marred the FA Cup quarter-final between Aston Villa and West Brom do little for football’s image.

Hoards of fans running on to the pitch both during and after the game, and seats being ripped up, overshadowed a fine victory for Villa as they booked their place in a Wembley semi-final.

Football is a game of high emotion and intense rivalries but that is not an excuse for idiotic actions and threatening behaviour bordering on wanton violence.

Villa should receive a hefty fine for failing to control their fans and West Brom should also find themselves in the dock if their supporters caused damage at Villa Park.

The moronic individuals who confronted players, with allegations that Albion’s Callum McManaman was struck by Villa fans, should be banned from matches for a long time.

Questions are also being asked of the Football Association’s wisdom of agreeing to the match kicking off at 5.30pm for live BBC coverage.

The argument is that fans had more time to drink themselves stupid and therefore the likelihood of trouble was increased.

That maybe so but other sports — rugby for example — start later and they don’t suffer from similar incidents.

Football has long had a problem with overly aggressive behaviour, whether people are under the influence of alcohol or not.

It should also be said that fans invading the pitch in celebration is nothing new and such scenes have provided some of the cup’s most enduring images.

Even now, images of Hereford United’s heroics against Newcastle United 42 years ago are replayed in showreels.

I remember being part of one many years ago after a particularly unlikely victory for Yeovil Town against Fulham.

But what happened at Villa Park crossed the line and was a stark reminder of what can happen when football supporters get out of control.