THE Football Association will investigate a series of pitch invasions which marred Birmingham City’s 3-0 English Premier League victory over cross-town rival Aston Villa.

　　Dozens of City fans ran onto the playing area after each of the Blues’ goals in Monday night’s game at St. Andrews — the first league match between the two sides in 16 years.

　　One supporter went up to Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman, taunting him and getting within inches of his face after he conceded a fluke goal on a throw-in. The same man also clashed with Villa’s Steve Staunton.

　　In addition, 31 people were arrested for hooligan violence before, during and after the game.

　　Chief Superintendent Steve Rowell said he expected more arrests after a review of closed-circuit camera footage.

　　Birmingham chairman David Gold played down the incidents as fans behaving “in pure jubilation,” but said the man who confronted Enckelman would be barred from the ground for life.

　　Newly promoted Birmingham City overwhelmed neighbor Aston Villa on a first-half goal by Clinton Morrison.

　　Morrison’s goal in the 31st — he hooked it in from close-in after scoring twice last week against Liverpool — was followed by one of the strangest goals of the young season.

　　Off a throw-in by Villa defender Olof Mellberg — a ball intended for Enckelman — Enckelman misjudged the ball and watched as it seemed to brush over the top of his boot and into the net in the 77th minute.

　　City’s Geoff Horsfield finished off the scoring in the 83rd to seal the victory.(SD-Agencies)