By CHRIS WHEELER
Published: 13:02 EDT, 25 May 2025 | Updated: 13:15 EDT, 25 May 2025
Manchester United beat Aston Villa 2-0 to end the season on a high - and deny Unai Emery's men Champions League football.
Villa had a goal controversially ruled out after Morgan Rogers nicked the ball after an Altay Bayindir error and netted, but the whistle had already been blown - incorrectly - for a foul on the goalkeeper. VAR was unable to overturn the decision.
Amad Diallo broke the deadlock after 76 minutes as his head met Bruno Fernandes' fine lofted through ball.
And Christian Eriksen made sure of the victory with a late penalty to break Aston Villa's hearts.
Emiliano Martinez's possible Villa farewell was marred by a rash red card for jumping on Rasmus Hojlund 25 yards from goal.
Robin Olsen replaced him between the sticks but was unable to survive the onslaught of United attacks, and so Villa were condemned to finish sixth.
More to follow.
Manchester United ended a woeful season on a high by beating Aston Villa 2-0 at home
Aston Villa's season ended in heartbreak as they missed out on the Champions League
Villa's day was made much harder when Emiliano Martinez saw a straight red for a ridiculous foul on Rasmus Hojlund - in potentially the goalkeeper's final game
The visitors were aggrieved that Morgan Rogers had a goal ruled out for dispossessing Altay Bayindir - despite the goalkeeper not having had the ball under control
Amad Diallo broke the deadlock with his 11th goal of the season for Manchester United
Christian Eriksen closed the season in style as he converted a penalty past Robin Olsen
Match facts and ratings
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1): Bayindir 6; Lindelof 6.5, Maguire 7, Heaven 7; Mazraoui 5 (Dalot 19, 6 (Mainoo 46, 7)), Casemiro 6.5, Fernandes 8, Dorgu 6.5; Mount 6, Amad 7.5; Hojlund 5 (Obi 81)
Goals: Amad (77), Eriksen (87)
Booked: Amad, Casemiro
Manager: Ruben Amorim 7.5
ASTON VILLA (4-3-2-1): Martinez 3; Cash 4, Konsa 6, Pau 5, Maatsen 4; McGinn 6 (Tielemans 62, 5), Kamara 6, Onana 5 (J Ramsey 62, 5); Asensio 4.5 (Olsen 45+4, 6), Rogers 5; Watkins 5
Booked: Rogers, Torres
Sent off: Martinez
Manager: Unai Emery 4
Referee: Thomas Bramall 6
Attendance: 73,839