Aston Villa’s Dalian Atkinson tribute led by fans during home game against Huddersfield
Emotional supporters join a minute's silence and bring umbrellas to recall a famous goal celebration by their tragic ex-striker who died after police Tasered him
ASTON VILLA fans led tributes to their tragic former star Dalian Atkinson during tonight's home Championship match with Huddersfield.
Supporters brought umbrellas in memory of a famous goal celebration, held banners and chanted his name - while Villa held 60 seconds' silence in the 10th minute, representing the ex-England B striker's main number at the club.
Former Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich favourite Atkinson, 48 died early on Monday after police Tasered him near his father's home in Telford.
The death was automatically referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as it involved a death caused by police officers.
Atkinson joined Villa for £1.6million from Real Sociedad in 1991, forming a pace-based partnership with Wales hero Dean Saunders.
He is best known for his Match of the Day goal-of-the-season in October 1992, an outstanding surge and long-range thumper in a 3-2 win at Wimbledon.
But the celebrations after that strike are almost as well remembered.
Villa fan Martin Pritchard ran on and held an umbrella over Atkinson as Saunders jumped on the forward's back to congratulate him.
That moment sparked tonight's poignant tribute as supporters brought brollies to remember him.
