Aston Villa are set to launch an official complaint to the Premier League after they missed out on a place in the Champions League following a 2-0 loss to Manchester United. Unai Emery's men had the chance to play in the elite European competition for the second season in a row, but fell out of the top five after they were beaten by the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen sealed the deal for United and ultimately cost Villa their spot in the Champions League. Earlier in the contest, however, the Midlands club thought they'd taken the lead and almost certainly clinched a spot in the top five. After Altay Bayindir attempted to claim the ball, Morgan Rogers stole it away before he could get it in his hands. The forward then smashed it into the open United goal, but the referee in charge, Thomas Bramall, had blown for a foul before the ball hit the back of the net.
Replays showed that there was no foul or contact when Rogers got the ball and the goal should have stood, but because Bramall blew the whistle before the ball actually crossed the line, VAR couldn't step in and overturn his decision. Just minutes later, United scored to take the lead and Villa missed out on the Champions League. It was a brutal way for their season to end and now, the club is planning to launch a complaint against the referee.
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Villa Feel a More Experienced Referee Should Have Been Selected
They aren't happy with Bramall
Aston Villa
Shortly after Villa lost to United, it was reported by David Ornstein that the club were planning to launch an official complaint to the Premier League about what unfolded during the game. They believe a more experienced referee should have been selected to take charge of the match considering how high the stakes surrounding the contest were.
With a place in the Champions League on the line for them, Villa wanted a referee who had plenty of experience to be in control of the game and clearly believe that if that was the case, the incident involving Rogers' disallowed goal and Bramall blowing the whistle too early wouldn't have happened.
The Athletic have approached the Premier League for their response and an official comment, but they've yet to respond.