'I didn't think they'd do that to a child' - Aston Villa criticised for ejecting 'crying' 13-year-old PSG fan from stadium as French club and defender Lucas Hernandez reach out

A teenage fan and his family were removed from their seats during the Champions League meeting between Aston Villa and PSG on Tuesday after celebrating the French side's opening goal. The supporters were sat in the home section and were reported to stewards after the visiting team extended their aggregate lead.

The entourage decided to buy tickets in the home stands due to the difficulty of securing seats in the away end. They were bought as a birthday present for 13-year-old Mael but they were removed before the match finished, with PSG eventually securing a semi-final tie against Arsenal despite Villa's 3-2 win on the night.

Aymeric Le Meignen, a friend of the child's father, told Le Parisien: "After Aston Villa's goal, an Englishman pulled Mael's father's hat, he must have spotted us. We didn't respond. At half-time, we saw security approaching. We said to ourselves that, really, they weren't going to let a kid out. Nine security guards came to tell us that it was forbidden for French people to sit with English people.

"Before the match, we walked around, clinked glasses, and chatted with people. Everything was going very well. Some guys around us, in the stadium, reported us. The little boy was crying in front of security. I didn't think they would do that to a child."

News of Villa's ruthlessness reached PSG star Lucas Hernandez, who got in touch with the teenager. The French giants have offered to host the entourage in the clash with Nice next Friday, while Nantes have also gifted tickets for the youngster when PSG visit next week.

PSG have already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title but have three domestic games to get through before visiting Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final later this month.