REVENGE and anger were the motives behind the murder of an Aston Villa fan after last season’s game against Birmingham City, a jury was told.

Lee Mockble, aged 21, drove his £10,000 Volkswagen Golf deliberately at 26-year-old Christopher Priest rupturing one of his main arteries and killing him instantly, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Mockble, of Robin Hood Lane, Hall Green, denies murder and causing death by dangerous driving.

In his closing speech, Christopher Hotten QC, for the prosecution, told the jury that Mockble’s previous convictions for assault, affray and threatening behaviour showed that he was the sort of man who reacted with violence when he was provoked.

Shortly before Mockble’s car hit Mr Priest on April 20 last year, a group of men threw a pint glass at the vehicle smashing the passenger window and injuring passenger Ryan Pedley.

Mr Hotten said: “Mr Mockble knew the group of men were advancing up the road.

“He turned his car to face them.