Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista has apologised for clashing with a fan during their preseason defeat to Aston Villa.

Los Che lost 2-1 at the Mestalla to Villa on Saturday.

And during the game, Paulista sought to confront a fan in the stands as the game was going on around him.

In a statement this morning, the former Arsenal defender conceded: "It was a moment of fever in a game that despite being friendly we did not want to lose.

"I heard something from a fan that I didn't like, it was disrespectful to me and I reacted. I shouldn't have. It's an important game, we're at home and I stopped defending a play to talk to a fan.

"It was that, something that disrespected me and other colleagues as well… I wanted to apologise to all the fans of this Club, I am here to defend Valencia CF to the death. From the first day I said it and I want to fulfill it.

"I am going to defend this club and my teammates, only this… I want to apologise to everyone."

Watch below:

Paulista se encaró con la grada en medio del partido

#PretemporadaEnGolpic.twitter.com/MO7LqeUdWB — GOL PLAY (@Gol) August 5, 2023