Trending 
Aston Villa’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dashed on the final day of the Premier League season as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United in a controversial encounter, leaving them behind Newcastle on goal difference.
Manchester United, reeling from their Europa League final defeat to Tottenham just days earlier, salvaged some pride in what has been a dismal campaign, with goals from Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen securing victory at Old Trafford.
Villa’s frustration was compounded by a series of contentious refereeing decisions.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Rasmus Hojlund, and a goal from Morgan Rogers was controversially disallowed for an apparent foul on United’s goalkeeper Altay Bayindir—a call that infuriated Villa players and manager Unai Emery alike.
Emery sarcastically applauded the officials after Eriksen was awarded a late penalty, which he calmly converted.
The defeat meant Villa, who had been in fine form with eight wins in their previous nine matches, finished sixth, settling for a Europa League spot rather than a place among Europe’s elite.
Despite the win, United concluded their worst-ever Premier League season in 15th place. With no European football next season after their midweek defeat in Bilbao, discontent among United fans remained evident.
Before kick-off, they once again voiced their anger at the Glazer family’s ownership, with chants and banners calling for the Americans to step away from the club.
United’s bright start saw them dominate the first half. Diallo came close, Diogo Dalot struck the post, and Mason Mount was twice denied by Martinez, who may have played his final game for Villa amid transfer speculation.
But Martinez soon saw red for a rash challenge outside his area after a defensive error from Matty Cash, leaving Villa with 10 men and their grip on a top-five finish slipping.
United squandered several chances to extend their lead after the break. Hojlund’s header was ruled out for offside, and Casemiro curled an effort onto the post, visibly frustrating manager Ruben Amorim.
Meanwhile, news filtered through that Everton had taken the lead against Newcastle, which meant Villa only needed a draw to secure fifth place.
However, the match turned dramatically. Villa believed they had taken the lead when Rogers scored after dispossessing Bayindir, but the referee ruled that the United keeper had the ball under control.
Just moments later, Diallo headed in a Bruno Fernandes cross before winning a penalty, which Eriksen converted, marking his final appearance in a United shirt with a goal.
