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Grealish celebrates giving Aston Villa the lead. Nick Potts

Jack Grealish scores winner in Second City derby after being attacked by Birmingham supporter

The 23-year-old was attacked by a supporter at St Andrew’s but slotted in a low effort to snatch all three points in the second half.

JACK GREALISH DRAMATICALLY gave Aston Villa a 1-0 win at Birmingham City after being attacked by a pitch invader in the early stages of Sunday’s derby.

Villa captain Grealish was felled by a punch to the neck and jaw region when a man ran onto the pitch in the opening 10 minutes of the Championship clash at St Andrew’s.

A steward led the individual away off the field and West Midlands Police later confirmed a man had been arrested “following the incident on the pitch involving an attack on an Aston Villa player”.

Players from both teams checked on the welfare of Grealish and the 23-year-old proved the match-winner in the 67th minute, beating Lee Camp with a left-footed effort from just inside the box and running to celebrate with the away fans behind the goal.

Anwar El Ghazi, Tammy Abraham and Andre Green had earlier squandered chances to break the deadlock, while Conor Hourihane rattled the crossbar with a thumping strike 15 minutes from full-time.

Craig Gardner wasted two late opportunities to equalise for the hosts as Dean Smith’s men held on for a second straight victory, lifting them into ninth and back to within four points of the play-off places.

Birmingham, who have now lost two on the trot, slid back to 11th, one point behind their rivals.

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    Mute Teddyzigzagbigbag
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    Apr 2nd 2017, 11:32 PM

    Great article.

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    Mute Bennythekid
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 4:24 AM

    Great to read about Billy and the way life turned out for him.i
    I can remember him as a kid in Middleton when I stayed with his parents Don and Mary.I will never forget their kindness towards me as I was starting out in my first job in nearby Carrigtouhill.

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    Mute David Linehan
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 1:05 AM

    Great read. Never forget his goal for Rovers against Shels in the cup. Belter. On his day he was unstoppable.

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    Mute Ryan Comiskey
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    Apr 2nd 2017, 11:21 PM

    Nobody underachieves. If you have the skill, but not the motivation, you’ll achieve exactly how much you should achieve with that combination.

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    Mute Kieran Stafford
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    Apr 2nd 2017, 11:31 PM

    @Ryan Comiskey: what if you have the motivation but not the skill?

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    Mute Dave Kilmartin
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 12:43 AM

    @Kieran Stafford: you’ll still likely achieve your potential – whatever that may be.

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    Mute Al S Macthomais
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 1:15 AM

    Great article and gives a no holds account of the times of Leage of Ireladn football from players perspective and still after his football experiences has great love still for Cork.

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    Mute Ronan McDermott
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 12:53 AM

    Jaysus that suit looks shocking on Dolan . Fits like he ordered it online or something

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    Mute James Clancy
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 7:13 PM

    @Ronan McDermott: …would you like if it was a “slim” fit?!…on Dolan?!

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    Mute David Turtle
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 3:20 AM

    Great read I remember Celtic played City in 2001 and brought a full strength team bar Larsson. The game finished 3-2 to Celtic that night too. I’ve the ticket on my bedroom wall still.

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    Mute Roib Ó hArrachtáin
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 7:58 AM

    Great read. Billy scored against Rovers out at Bishopstown once, off the left wing into the right top corner. Best goal I’ve seen in the flesh. Glorious stuff.

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    Mute David Linehan
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 1:05 AM

    Great read. Never forget his goal for Rovers against Shels in the cup. Belter. On his day he was unstoppable.

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    Mute baz newham
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 1:13 AM

    @David Linehan: alright David boy once was enough to say it !

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    Mute Eamonn Duggan
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 9:22 PM

    “Billy Woods was on the wing
    we had dreams and songs to sing”
    Immortalised in song, doesn’t get much better than that.

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    Mute John Brennan
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 9:28 AM

    I remember the slagging Billy got at the Cross when City played Rovers.
    One fella roared”Welcome back Billy, you havent changed. You’re still shite”

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    Mute John Brennan
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    Apr 3rd 2017, 9:30 AM

    I remember the slagging Billy got at the Cross when he came with Rovers.
    One fella roared ” Welcome back Billy, you havent changed. You’re still shite”

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