Assistant referee Phil Sharp receives treatment on the touchline

The Football Association will investigate the incident that saw an assistant referee hit by a coin during Portsmouth's draw with Aston Villa.

Phil Sharp needed treatment to his head during the closing stages at Villa Park, but was able to officiate until the end of the goalless draw.

The FA intends to speak with the police and Villa, who condemned the incident that happened in front of the dug-out.

A Villa spokesman said "any culprit will be banned for life".

The club's spokesman Steve Tudgay added: "We can confirm a 50 pence coin was thrown at Phil Sharp. There was a cut to his head, although he required no stitches and he is fine.

"The police and the club will hold a joint investigation and CCTV footage will be checked and the culprit will be dealt with by police."

Sharp was clearly shaken and sank to his knees before resuming with a plaster on his forehead.

It was probably thrown at me in all honesty but whoever does such things is a coward and a moron Harry Redknapp

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp gesticulated angrily towards the crowd behind the dug-out and stewards moved in to police that section.

Redknapp believed the coin was aimed at him and called for the "moron" responsible to be given a lifetime ban.

"They are a disgrace to the game," said Redknapp, who was celebrating 25 years in football management.

"It was probably thrown at me in all honesty but whoever does such things is a coward and a moron.

"Hopefully the culprit will be banned from football for life. There is no place in our marvellous game for that."

Villa manager Martin O'Neill described the incident as "totally unacceptable".

"There's no place for that in the game whatsoever and it shouldn't happen," the Northern Irishman told BBC Sport.

"We pride ourselves on being supporter friendly. The chairman has made a big effort to try and get supporters down here, get them in an atmosphere which is conducive to supporting our side.

"But you'd hope, at the same token, those sort of things shouldn't happen. I'm obviously disappointed."

You should not be throwing coins - it's dangerous Martin O'Neill

When asked whether the perpetrator should be banned for life, O'Neill said: "Whether it was particularly aimed at the linesman or not doesn't matter.

"You should not be throwing coins, it's dangerous and I totally agree with Harry."

Portsmouth and Villa consolidated their places in the top half of the Premier League table after the hard-fought draw.

The visitors started well with England striker Jermain Defoe missing a sitter, while Villa had numerous chances to get a second-half winner with John Carew heading against the bar late on.

But the game will be remembered for the incident involving Sharp at the very end.

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