(CNN) A man has been arrested for allegedly punching a football player on the field of play during a match in England. The incident occurred in the 10th minute of Aston Villa's game at local rivals Birmingham City, in the second tier of English football. The perpetrator ran from the stands that holds the Birmingham supporters before punching Aston Villa player Jack Grealish in the head from behind. Stewards eventually caught up with the assailant and escorted him away from the field of play. Both sets of players reacted angrily to the incident but the game was resumed just minutes after. Grealish stayed on the pitch to score the winning goal. Read More<doc-sep>Nate Scott For the Win What started out as a sickening incident turned into a beautiful one, after Jack Grealish was first attacked by a fan during a game, then responded by scoring a beautiful game-winning goal. In the first half of a rivalry game between Aston Villa and Birmingham in the English Championship (the level just below the Premier League), Villa’s Grealish was sucker punched by a Birmingham fan who ran onto the field and snuck up behind him. Grealish’s teammates, Birmingham City players and security quickly surrounded the fan, who was escorted off the field and arrested. Grealish admirably kept calm after the incident, and received love from members of both teams for having to endure what he did. Here was the attack: Grealish then got his revenge in the second half, when he scored a left-footed goal to give Villa a 1-0 lead away from home. Villa would hold on to the lead and win the game, 1-0. SPORTS, DELIVERED: Getlatest news right in your inbox! After the game, Birmingham City issued a statement:<doc-sep>During the early stages of the Second City Derby against Birmingham City, a man entered the pitch and attacked Jack Grealish after the Aston Villa captain was walking away from the action. Grealish earned some redemption as his goal secured a 1-0 win for the visitors. During the early stages of the Second City Derby against Birmingham City, a man entered the pitch and attacked Jack Grealish after the Aston Villa captain was walking away from the action. Luckily, Grealish walked away with no injuries and remained calm throughout as security caught the attacker and took him off the pitch. The rest of the players also stayed reasonably composed, despite the alarming incident. The Second City Derby between these two sides has always been a tense affair, but this reckless sense of violence is totally unacceptable. Aside from the intruder himself, there's no doubt the club will also have to deal with consequences in the weeks to come. West Midlands Police tweeted: "Following the incident on the pitch involving an attack on an Aston Villa player, a man has been arrested and en route to a custody block. Further details to follow.” An EFL spokesperson commented: "The EFL condemns the mindless actions of the individual who encroached onto the pitch at St Andrews on Sunday afternoon. It's a situation no player should ever be faced with." "In all circumstances the playing surface is for players, not supporters and those playing in the game must be safe in the knowledge they will not be subjected to this type of behavior. Whilst this incident falls within the remit of the Football Association, we will work with all the relevant parties to address the issue of player and match officials safety on the pitch and ensure the appopropriate action is taken." Despite the ugly incident, the 23-year-old attacker remained calm throughout. His performance was rewarded and in the 67th minute, Grealish scored the only goal in the game, making it 1-0 to the visitors. After the game, Grealish spoke out on the incident. "I was just unaware at the time,” he said. “I was walking into position and I just felt a whack around the side of the face. Obviously there’s rivalry in football but I don’t think there’s any place for that really." The clubs also issued statements. "A red line has been crossed by this cowardly on-field assault on a player, which is unprecedented in English football", said Aston Villa. "We trust the perpetrator will feel the full force of the law and the authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding today’s deplorable incident." Birmingham City echoed these sentiments, confirming the intruder will never enter the stadium again. "We deplore the behavior of the individual who committed this act and rest assured he will be banned from St. Andrew’s for life. The Club will also support any further punishment this individual may face in the eyes of the law." "What happened has no place in football or society. Jack is a Birmingham lad and regardless of club allegiance should not have been subjected to this – there are no excuses. Again, we apologize to Jack and all at Aston Villa Football Club."<doc-sep>
A football fan attacked Aston Villa player Jack Grealish on Sunday after rushing onto the pitch amid a Championship game against Birmingham City. West Midlands Police confirmed in a brief statement that the spectator had been arrested and taken into custody. In footage of the incident, the fan is seen approaching Grealish from behind, before punching him in the face and knocking him to the ground. Grealish remained on the ground as authorities apprehended the trespasser, and was later helped up by his fellow players. The Aston Villa midfielder was reportedly unhurt in the altercation, going on to score the only goal of the match. Reuters Birmingham City said there were "no excuses" for the fan's behaviour, confirming he would receive a lifetime ban from the club's stadium. "We deplore the behaviour of the individual who committed this act," the club said in a statement. "What happened has no place in football or society. Jack is a Birmingham lad and regardless of club allegiance should not have been subjected to this — there are no excuses." The English Football League (EFL) condemned the incident in a statement posted to its website. "It's a situation no player should ever be faced with," the EFL said. "In all circumstances the playing surface is for players, not supporters and those playing in the game must be able to do so safe in the knowledge they will not be subjected to this type of behaviour." While Aston Villa and Grealish himself have not yet publicly commented on the incident, several other high-profile members of the footballing community have spoken up. Former Manchester United and England footballer Gary Neville said Birmingham City would have to take "a huge punishment" for the incident. "A points deduction or empty stadium for 10 games," he suggested.