Aston Villa and West Brom fans have joined forces to criticise the scheduling of their FA Cup quarter-final clash on Saturday evening . Trouble flared before , during and after the Villa Park showdown , prompting the Football Association to announce it has launched an investigation into the disturbances . The national lead officer for football policing , Mark Roberts , questioned the 5.30pm kick-off time and his view has been backed by supporters of both clubs . Aston Villa and West Brom fans have joined forces to criticise the scheduling of their FA Cup quarter-final tie . Trouble flared before , during and after the Villa Park showdown , including the pitch invasion . Aston Villa fans celebrated by racing on to the pitch following their 2-0 victory over West Brom at Villa Park . The police , FA and BBC pass the buck over who 's to blame for shameful scenes following Aston Villa 's FA Cup win ... it was DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE for this to be a 5.30pm kick-off . Aston Villa fan Matt Turvey , editor of astonvillalife.com , watched the game from the Upper Holte End and insisted : 'The timing was pretty stupid . ' I 'm not overly sure about the rationale but 12.30pm would have been ideal . You 're getting people drinking from 9.30am and turning up at Villa Park at 5.30pm - it 's a pretty obvious result . 'If it was down to TV then it just illustrates that everything is pushed aside for money . ' Police made 17 arrests related to the game , during which Villa fans invaded the pitch and seats were thrown from the North Stand housing visiting supporters . West Brom Official Supporters ' Club chairman Alan Cleverley said it was time the authorities took more notice of fans ' concerns . West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is mocked by an Aston Villa fan following the home side 's second goal . The West Brom goalkeeper attempts to make his way safely off the field following the full-time whistle . Cleverley said : 'Let 's blame the fans of both clubs , the BBC and the Football Association . I spoke to the police four weeks ago and told them it was going to happen . 'The answer to this one was to kick off at 12pm on Saturday , or even 11am - the real fans would have been there at that time . The game should never have kicked off at the time it did . ' Meanwhile Cleverley urged the clubs and the police to take a no-nonsense approach to any fans found guilty of involvement in the disturbances . He added : 'If they are found guilty of fighting and throwing seats I hope they are banned for life - and they should accept the punishment . ' The pitch at Villa Park can barely be seen s supporters cover it following the full-time whistle .
There was trouble before , during and after the 5.30pm kick-off match . The FA have announced it is investigating the disturbances on Saturday . Aston Villa and Aston Villa 's supporters have questioned the kick-off time .