INNOCENT Aston Villa fans were “deliberately targeted” by violent Paris hooligans before a football game, a source close to the investigation has revealed.
in ahead of the crunch tie game between PSG and on Tuesday.
Paris hotspots including O’Sullivan’s – an Irish pub – were full of fans from enjoying a drink before Wednesday’s game.
An investigating source linked to the French told the Sun: “That’s when the trouble started.
“A large gang of PSG ultras, many of them with hoods pulled up, turned up ready for a fight.
“They knew who they were looking for – anybody supporting Aston Villa. The Aston Villa fans were deliberately targeted.”
Shocking footage from the attack shows the PSG fans attacking the English fans outside the Irish pub.
The aggressive fans can be seen throwing glasses and chairs, before starting fist fights.
The cops were called to the scene but did not arrive in time letting the attackers get away.
The source said that the mob was “extremely well organised”.
They added: “ like this are used to carrying out these types of attacks – they hit hard, and then melt away into the night”
A local police spokesman said there were “no arrests”, and no reports of any serious injuries during the attacks.
But he added that the video was “being looked at”.
The spokesman said Wednesday's game has a risk level of 3 out of 5, signifying a “moderate but real risk of incidents”.
And he warned some 3,000 Villa fans in the French capital – 1,000 of them without tickets – to be “on their guard”.
Among those in Paris for the game is Prince William, a massive Villa supporter, who has been invited to the game by PSG.
The Prince is said to be keen to attend while his expat brother, P after travelling to the UK from the .
There is no serious of rivalry between Villa and PSG two sets of fans.
But the French are reportedly raging after Villa goalkeeper arrived in Paris wearing a cap with an crest.
Martinez played a huge part in Argentina’s defeat of in the 2022 World Cup Final in , leaving Paris fans furious.
Paris are also notorious for wanted to “test themselves” against English fans, according to a PSG source.
has experienced a big rise in hooliganism over the last five seasons.
And the French Interior Ministry has just announced a ban on Legion X, ultras linked to Paris FC, after repeated horror attacks on rival fans.
This comes after a after Lyon's team bus was attacked on the way to the game.
Stones and bottles were hurled at the bus leaving its windows shattered.
The attack left ‘s coach Fabio Grosso with horrifying facial injuries.
Grosso needed 13 stitches in total after being treated.
