Former Aston Villa midfielder Peter Whittingham hospitalised after fall
Former Aston Villa midfielder Peter Whittingham has been hospitalised, South Wales Police have confirmed.
The former Villa academy product, who made more than 50 appearances in claret and blue, had been the subject of reports claiming that he had passed away earlier this week.
In a statement issued by the police, they confirmed that Whittingham had suffered a head injury from an accidental fall.
"At around 10pm on March 7, South Wales Police were called to a licensed premises in Barry," the statement read.
"A 35-year-old man from Penarth suffered a head injury as a result of a fall and remains at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff."
"At this stage there is no evidence or suggestion of a criminal act, and it appears the injury was caused by an accidental fall.
"Enquiries are continuing into the circumstances of the incident."
The 35-year-old is best known for his lengthy spell with Cardiff, for whom he made more than 400 appearances - scoring 85 times.
Whittingham made his Villa first-team debut in 2003, and spent time on-loan at Burnley and Derby County before heading to south Wales in 2007.
He went on to spend a decade at the club, joining Blackburn in 2017.
He never made a senior England appearance, despite notching 17 appearances at U21 level.
