Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby saved the day for a tearful young fan last night after the boy's handmade banner asking for the attacker's shirt was confiscated.

Before Villa played AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League, a young fan hung a beautifully hand-crafted sign near the touchline asking for the French winger's shirt.

However, due to a new rule in Dutch football forcing stadiums to ban fans from bringing in signs asking players for shirts, a steward walked over to the boy and took the banner away.

Left in tears, he was consoled by another steward as the sign, which was written in French, was then thrown in the bin.

But in a heartwarming gesture, the Birmingham club made sure the fan was granted his wish as Diaby hugged him at the full-time whistle - and his shirt.

The boy can be seen with a beaming smile on his face as he poses for a picture alongside the Villa winger with his shirt.

Many football fans complained on social media that it was completely 'unnecessary' for the steward to throw the sign in the bin.

One person wrote on X: 'All the hours this kid has spent making it, looking forward and having his hopes up, brought the sign and then some man throw it in the bin.'

Another added: 'That’s unnecessary from the stewards to throw it in the bin.'

However, after the Villa star made it up to the kid, fans were delighted with one saying: 'Love this!' Another also added: 'Brilliant! Well done Villa.'

Diaby has endeared himself to supporters since his summer switch from Bayer Leverkusen with his brilliant play, and this on-the-field act of kindness will only burnish his reputation.

To add to Villa fans' joy, their side enjoyed a remarkable result against the Dutch team, as they won 4-1 to go second in their group.

Striker Ollie Watkins continued his red-hot form for Villa, netting his tenth goal of the season and fourth in Europe this season.

Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans put them in control at the AFAS Stadium in Alkmaar after less than 25 minutes.

Vangelis Pavlidis wasted the hosts' best chances, but Watkins and John McGinn added more goals after the break before Ibrahim Sadiq grabbed a consolation.

It was the second time in two games Villa had scored four after their 4-1 Premier League win over West Ham on Sunday.

Unai Emery celebrated a year in charge on Tuesday and the victory underlined the progress his side has made, having been floundering in 14th place 12 months ago - three points above the relegation zone.

Villa host Alkmaar in two weeks knowing victory would see them take a giant leap to the knock-out stages, especially following an opening 3-2 defeat at Legia Warsaw in September.