HUNDREDS of Birmingham City fans invaded the pitch at the final whistle after watching their team dump Aston Villa out of the Carling Cup, sparking ugly scenes as they confronted the visiting supporters.

They ran the full length of the pitch to stand just metres away from end where Aston Villa fans were packed.

Only a line of stewards and police officers wearing riot gear prevented the two sets of fans from clashing as they taunted each other.

Running battles between police and fans on the pitch went on for around 15 minutes.

At one stage two flares appeared to be thrown into the Villa fans and were then hurled back on to the Blues supporters on the pitch.

Tannoy announcement repeatedly urged fans to get off the pitch and leave the stadium.

Eventually police forced Blues fans back into their own stand but more objects and missiles appeared to be thrown at them as fans left the stadium.