FA to investigate flare incident at Villa Park

The Football Association will investigate an incident that saw an object thrown by Tottenham Hotspur fans hit linesman David Bryan during the London club's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa this afternoon.

The object, thought to either be a smoke bomb or flare, hit the official in the 31st minute as Spurs fans celebrated Andros Townsend's opening goal.

"The FA will investigate this matter, which is unacceptable. We will await the match officials' report and will be speaking to the clubs," said a statement from an FA spokesperson following the game.

"Such incidents highlight the dangers of pyrotechnics being used in a football stadium."

Tottenham won the match thanks to goals from Townsend and Roberto Soldado either side of half time.