Football hooliganism: Aston Villa and Leicester City teenage firms clashed with bricks before derby

Aston Villa and Leicester City hooligans threw bricks and bottles at each other as violence erupted in Birmingham city centre ahead of the sides' Premier League clash. West Midlands Police arrested 20 men – most of them teenagers – after being called to a a fight between supporters on Price Street at around 4.15pm.

Officers came across a group who were fighting and throwing bricks and bottles at each other near to The Bull pub, which was closed at the time. Despite trying to run away from police, 15 people aged between 16 and 21 were arrested on suspicion of either violent disorder or affray and taken into custody.

Eight were Villa supporters; seven had travelled from Leicester. Another five youths – four aged 16 and one aged 17 – were also arrested on suspicion of affray after being caught hiding in the NCP car park on nearby Weaman Street.

None of the 20 were seriously injured and all have been released on police bail, with strict conditions, until dates in February and March.

Inspector Richard Vickers said: "Thankfully this was just a small pocket of disorder and the vast majority of people attending the match were there to enjoy the opportunity of supporting their team. Football-related disorder and violence of this nature will not be tolerated and we work closely with security staff and club officials to identify and monitor 'risk supporters'.

"These few individuals who choose to display their 'support' through anti-social or criminal activity are dealt with strongly and we will always push for Football Banning Orders against such offenders."