A POLICE officer was set on FIRE in violent clashes with Polish football yobs.
Legia Warsaw fans went on the rampage just minutes before Aston Villa’s 2-1 Europa Conference League win on Thursday night.
Police in riot gear met fans and kettled them into a car park near the stadium but could not prevent trouble breaking out before kick-off.
Four cops were injured – as well as two police horses and two dogs – as Legia fans hurled missiles at an army of police.
One officer, who was hit by a flare, was taken to hospital after suffering burns.
Police later confirmed than none of the injuries were serious.
Legia followers were furious after they had their ticket allocation cut from 1,700 to 1,002 after violent clashes between Warsaw fans and Dutch police in Alkmaar.
Almost 1,000 ticketless Polish fans tried to gatecrash the turnstiles as NO away supporters were allowed in.
West Midlands Police mounted a huge security operation but violent scenes broke out when police began to move those Legia fans who did have tickets from their compound to march them to the stadium.
As a result, the match kicked off with the entire away section empty.
Birmingham Police issued a statement on X to confirm: “We’re currently unable to allow away fans into Villa Park following disorder outside the stadium which has seen missiles thrown at officers.
“Three officers have already been injured and a significant police operation continues. Please avoid Witton Lane where possible.”
A later statement from West Midlands police confirmed 39 people had been arrested on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and assaulting a police officer.
They slammed the “disgusting and highly dangerous scenes”.
A statement from Villa added: “Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that no away fans were allowed into Villa Park for this evening’s UEFA Europa Conference League fixture with Legia Warsaw on the advice of West Midlands Police following large-scale disorder outside the stadium caused by visiting supporters.”
It continued: “In spite of numerous requests for cooperation from Legia Warsaw concerning their travelling supporters, especially in the last two days, no assistance on the serious safety matter of away fans attending Villa Park was forthcoming from the visiting club.
