Villa Lodge Complaint After Controversial Referee Call

Aston Villa have officially lodged a complaint following a controversial refereeing decision in their 2-0 loss to Manchester United on Sunday, 25 May, which cost them a UEFA Champions League (UCL) placement.

With the match goalless, Villa’s Morgan Rogers thought he had given his side the lead in the 73rd minute at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England. However, referee Thomas Bramall disallowed the goal for a foul on Man U goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Television replays showed Bayindir failed to control the ball, but the whistle had already blown, preventing VAR intervention.

The visitors were left fuming, especially as the goal would have put them 1-0 up with just 17 minutes remaining. United capitalised with goals from midfielders Amad Diallo at the 76-minute mark and Christian Eriksen just 11 minutes later, securing their victory.

Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, confirmed the club’s intention to formally complain about the appointment of Bramall, citing his inexperience for such a high-stakes game.

“It’s not about the decision, clearly it was a mistake. The complaint is about the referee. The problem is why the international referees were not here today,” Vidagany explained.

This defeat means that Villa finished sixth place on the English Premier League table with 66 points, missing out on a UCL spot, while the Red Devils have secured a morale-boosting win after their Europa League final loss.

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