Two Fans Released On Bail Over Smoke Bomb

Two fans who were arrested after a flare was thrown from the crowd at Villa Park on Sunday have been released on police bail.

Assistant referee David Bryan was struck on the back of the neck by the flare during the first half of Tottenham's 2-0 win against Aston Villa.

The flare appeared to be thrown from a section of Spurs fans located in the Doug Ellis Stand - Bryan was able to continue after a short delay.

The two men, aged 25 and 47, will not be allowed to attend football matches during the bail period which ends on November 28.

The Football Association has launched an investigation into the matter and are awaiting the match officials' report into the incident.

It is the latest of several incidents involving flares being thrown in recent weeks - several were thrown at last week's World Cup qualifier between England and Poland at Wembley.

Following the match, FA secretary Alex Horne acknowledged the need for action - but admitted the problem was difficult to tackle due to the size of the flares which makes them easy for fans to conceal.

"We don't like to see it, but they are very small, they are very portable," he told Sky Sports News.

"We do our best - it's something we're seeing in a lot of football grounds at the moment.

"We will be doing our own investigation, I'm not sure what FIFA will say."