A MAN from Rubery has been charged with assaulting Aston Villa player Jack Grealish during the Second City derby.

Paul Mitchell, aged 27, has been charged with invading the pitch and assaulting Jack Grealish at the derby match between Aston Villa and Birmingham City at St. Andrews Stadium yesterday (Sunday March 10).

The man will remain in custody and is set to appear before Birmingham Magistrates court today (Monday March 11).

Following the match, Birmingham City Football Club apologised to Jack Grealish and Aston Villa Football Club for an incident.

In a statement the club said: "We deplore the behaviour of the individual who committed this act and rest assured he will be banned from St. Andrew’s for life.

"The Club will be working with the relevant authorities to investigate all the circumstances and we will be reviewing our stadium safety procedures."