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Aston Villa have confirmed they will lodge an official complaint with the Premier League following a contentious 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday — a result that dashed their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Villa narrowly missed out on a top-five finish, edged by Newcastle on goal difference, and will now have to settle for a spot in the Europa League.
Controversy surrounded the first half of the match after Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was dismissed and a potential opening goal by Morgan Rogers was chalked off in circumstances that sparked outrage from the visiting side.
Referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle for a foul on United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır moments before Rogers scored. Because play had already been stopped, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was unable to review the incident — a decision that left Villa fuming.
United capitalised shortly after, with goals from Amad Diallo and a Christian Eriksen penalty sealing victory and denying Villa the single point they needed to secure Champions League qualification.
Villa captain John McGinn was furious with the officiating, saying, “The decision is unbelievable. Blowing the whistle at that point — it’s very hard to accept. One point was all we needed.”
Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany confirmed the club will submit a formal protest regarding the appointment of Bramall, arguing that a more experienced referee should have overseen such a high-stakes fixture.
Despite the victory, United finished their worst Premier League season ever in 15th place.
Before kick-off, Manchester United fans continued to voice their discontent with the Glazer family, chanting for the American owners to sell up after two decades of perceived decline.
However, United manager Ruben Amorim struck an optimistic tone after the final whistle, apologising for what he called a “disaster” of a season but insisting that better times lie ahead.
“Today, after a disastrous season, I want to say the good days are coming,” he told supporters. “If any club in the world can bounce back from a season like this, it’s Manchester United.”
Amorim was without Alejandro Garnacho, who was left out of the squad amid speculation over his future. Nevertheless, United responded positively on the pitch.
Martínez—rumoured to be leaving Villa this summer — endured a dismal afternoon, getting sent off after clattering into Rasmus Højlund when the forward pounced on a weak backpass from Matty Cash.
Højlund later thought he had broken his long-standing goal drought at home, but his headed effort was disallowed for offside. Diogo Dalot and Casemiro also struck the woodwork, leaving Amorim visibly frustrated on the touchline.
Villa supporters had cause for hope when Everton scored against Newcastle, which meant a draw would be enough for their side to reach the top five. But events took a dramatic turn.
Bayındır was ruled to have had the ball under control just before Rogers scored, nullifying what might have been a vital goal.
Moments later, Diallo headed in a cross from Bruno Fernandes, and Ian Maatsen’s foul on Diallo led to Eriksen converting a farewell penalty in what was likely his final game for United.
