Drugs raid police arrest Villa star

Zat Knight was arrested during a drug raid just hours before being unveiled at his new club Aston Villa, according to reports.

Armed officers apparently led the Premiership star away in handcuffs after swooping on a house in Erdington, Birmingham, early on Wednesday.

Knight, who joined his boyhood heroes after completing a £3.5 million move from London club Fulham, was released on police bail.

An Aston Villa spokeswoman acknowledged that Knight, who has one England cap, had been arrested, but stressed he had not been charged with any offence.

West Midlands Police said officers executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs and Firearms Act on Wednesday at an address in Erdington.

A force spokesman, who did not name 27-year-old Knight, said: "Two men, aged 26 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of Class A drugs offences. The 27-year-old man has since been released on police bail."

Police also confirmed that the 26-year-old man was charged with possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and is due to appear at Sutton Coldfield Magistrates' Court later.

A quantity of controlled drugs was seized during the raid, which is said to have occurred at around 5.30am.

Aston Villa paraded Knight to the media at 2.30pm at their training ground, but he made no mention of his arrest during the press conference.

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