Tony Pulis in support of lifetime bans for West Brom fans

Pulis spoke out as the Baggies vowed to take a "zero tolerance" approach after promising to co-operate fully with an FA inquiry into a series of incidents which marred Villa's 2-0 quarter-final victory on Saturday evening.

Villa apologised after home fans twice invaded the pitch - the first time interrupting the closing stages of the game - in scenes which divided opinion, with some onlookers claiming it was little more than a collective display of joy and passion.

The FA confirmed to Press Association Sport that an investigation will be launched on Monday.

And when asked about seats being thrown from the North Stand, which housed the visiting supporters, Pulis said: "If that was the situation, and they've got CCTV cameras up there, those supporters should never come into another football ground. It is like people coming into someone else's house - you have to show respect."

Pulis was also concerned about the ease with which spectators were able to get on to the pitch.

He added: "I am old enough to have seen isolated incidents happen like that. I don't want to have a go and take anything away from what happened on the pitch and what happened in the game.

"If one thing, Villa should look at the stewarding because with a game at this time of night, 5.30pm, you need to police it properly, and I am sure Villa will look at it."

However, Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters' Federation, urged the authorities to make the punishment fit the crime.

He said: "If people do something wrong, they must expect to be sanctioned. I think talk of lifetime bans is over the top.

"Are we really saying that in 50 years' time, one of these young people - if it was young people - couldn't take their grandchildren to a football match? I don't think so.

"You have got to have punishments which are proportionate to the offence. The law at the moment has a maximum 10-year period for a football banning order, so it would be rather odd for people to start talking about lifetime bans.

"It's very important to retain a sense of perspective here. As far as I could see, this was a celebratory invasion not an aggressive one.

"If there was criminal damage to some seats, that's quite wrong and, again, anybody who is identified as being responsible for that must expect to receive some sanction.

"Let's not castigate football fans for just one incident. The actual incidence of disorder at football matches has hugely declined in recent years, so that's a cause for celebration."

Villa were swift to respond to events which threatened to overshadow a victory that had booked them a semi-final trip to Wembley.

In a statement, they said: "We are very disappointed that what should have been a very memorable and proud moment for our fans was marred by the actions of those who could not control themselves. They have let both themselves and their club down.

"The club extends its sincere apologies to the Football Association, the West Bromwich Albion directors, manager Tony Pulis and all his staff and players."

West Brom, who accepted Villa's apology "in the spirit with which it was intended", re-iterated their determination to deal robustly with unacceptable behaviour by their own fans.

They said in a statement: "West Bromwich Albion will continue to operate zero tolerance to any fans who bring the club's reputation into disrepute.

"Pitch invasions cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. The safety of the club's players and staff during and at the end of the game was clearly compromised and that has to be a subject of deep concern for everyone involved."

West Midlands Police, who made 17 arrests, are also seeking witnesses to a disturbance at the Witton Arms pub before the game, while Chief Superintendent Chris Johnson confirmed they would assist the FA in identifying those who invaded the pitch.