Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen has claimed those fans who attacked him "will not destroy his emotions" after he was targeted during a pitch invasion.
The shotstopper was being escorted off the pitch by a steward as supporters ran onto the pitch at full-time at the Etihad. However he was still the subject of an attack - something that has become a worrying trend in recent weeks at stadiums up and down the country.
Olsen was making his debut for Villa with first choice keeper Emi Martinez out injured. He had kept City out for more than 70 minutes as the visitors took a shock 2-0 lead thanks to Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho. However three goals in five minutes for Manchester City turned the game around.
Emotion was at fever pitch on the blue half of Manchester but Olsen insists the events after the whistle will not tarnish his afternoon, he said on social media: "Those idiots who attacked me will not destroy my emotions of todays game. I got the opportunity to make my debut for this fantastic club, and we were really close to get a good result against a tough opponent."
Steven Gerrard was quizzed after the game on the incidents, but asked that City and their manager face the music. He said: "Our goalkeeper was attacked. We're going to see how he is now, but I think you should ask Pep [Guardiola] and Manchester City those questions."
City have said in a statement: "Manchester City would like to sincerely apologise to Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who was assaulted after the final whistle at today’s match when fans entered the pitch. The club has launched an immediate investigation and once identified, the individual responsible will be issued with an indefinite stadium ban."
Roy Keane took aim at those individuals, questioning how far they may go. He said on Sky Sports : "Disgraceful, it really is. I tell you, a player or a manager is going to be seriously injured. If you're mad enough to come on and punch a player then you're silly enough to stab them or something.
"Something crazy will happen. I think people have come back from Covid and forgotten how to behave themselves. Idiots. Scumbags. Disgrace. A player walking off the pitch and getting attacked, we've seen it during the week, Patrick Vieira. Absolutely disgraceful."
Gary Neville added: "These last 20, 30 years we've bought the fences down in English football and supporters respect 99 per cent of the time that you don't go on the pitch. They enjoy the family environment. All of a sudden these last few months we've got idiots running on the pitch, but if you're attacking players and managers - what are you doing?"
