Aston Villa were denied Champions League football after a refereeing error contributed to costing them a result at Manchester United on the final day
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Aston Villa Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany
Aston Villa Director of Football Operations Damian Vidagany
(Image: PA)
Aston Villa's director of football operations Damian Vidagany admits he's 'gutted' that the club missed out on a place in next season's Champions League in the midst of a poor officiating decision on the final day of the campaign - but he believes that in itself sums up how far the club have come under NSWE and Unai Emery.
Villa were denied what would've been the opening goal at Old Trafford, when needing to beat Manchester United, when Morgan Rogers was deemed to have kicked the ball out of the hands of Red Devils goalkeeper Altay Bayindir by referee Thomas Bramall, a judgement call replays showed was incorrect.
Ten man Villa, who went on to lose 2-0 after goals from Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen, were left furious. It contributed to defeat and meant that the Villans were unable to qualify, for the second season running, for Europe's premier competition, instead having to settle for the Europa League.
They released a statement on Sunday evening confirming that they'd made a complaint to the PGMOL detailing their concerns over the appointment of Mr Bramall for the fixture and claiming that there should've been a more experienced head in place for so much riding on the fixture.
In the meantime, Vidagany has applauded his colleagues and the club's owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens for the work that they have conducted, which means that now Europa League football is but a consolation, and not the overall target.
"Difficult to sleep tonight," posted in the night. "Huge effort day by day of everyone in the club to get the best outcome. At the end UEL next season. 3 seasons in Europe…and the feeling is that we are gutted. This change of expectations talks itself about transformation process we made since arrived.
"My deep admiration for NSWE, Unai, @leonsfdo [Monchi], coaching staff, the Directors and staff of the club and the fans. A single point, or the goal difference…it can make the difference on our mood, yes,…but won’t change the reality: our culture, standard and values are the right ones. Up the Villa!!! (It will be late, but I’ll start to dream tonight again)."
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