Aston Villa's Spanish head coach Unai Emery (L) speaks with English referee Thomas Bramall (R)
Aston Villa have taken the decision to launch a complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], clarifying their unhappiness at the decision to allow Thomas Bramall to officiate their season finale with Manchester United. Unai Emery's side lost 2-0 at Old Trafford to miss out on Champions League football as Newcastle United nabbed the fifth and final qualification spot despite losing to Everton at St James' Park.
Villa feel aggrieved after a controversial afternoon in Manchester. The Midlands outfit - already down to 10 men after Emi Martinez's sending off - thought they had taken the lead with 17 minutes of play remaining as Morgan Rogers rolled the ball into an empty net.
However, before the ball crossed the line, referee Bramall had blown his whistle after believing Rogers had robbed Red Devils' goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as he got the ball under control. Replays showed the shot-stopper was actually not in control of the ball and the goal should have stood.
Bramall's early blow of the whistle meant VAR officials at Stockley Park had no ability to check and overturn the decision. Moments later Manchester United went down the other end and scored through Amad Diallo, before Christian Eriksen wrapped the tie up from the penalty spot.
Villa, therefore, missed out on a top five spot and while they know an official complaint won't change that fact, the club have still taken the decision to air their grievances in public.
"Aston Villa can confirm the club has written to the PGMOL to raise concerns over the selection process of match officials following today’s game with Manchester United at Old Trafford," a club statement read on social media. "With such high stakes surrounding today’s fixture, the club believe a more experienced referee should have been appointed.
"Of the 10 referees to officiate across the Premier League today, Mr. Bramall was the 2nd least experienced. The decision to disallow Morgan Rogers' goal, which would have given the club a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes remaining in the match, was a major contributing factor to the club not qualifying for the Champions League.
"As per the standards that have been established over the course of the season, a decision to whistle early is clearly inconsistent with current refereeing guidelines. VAR exists to ensure that these types of situations receive the scrutiny they deserve.
"Unfortunately, the technology was not allowed to serve its purpose. Ultimately, we acknowledge that the outcome for us will not change, but we believe that it is important to address the selection methodology to ensure that high stakes matches are treated as such with regards to officiating and to ensure that the implemented VAR technology is allowed to be effective."
Newcastle endured a surreal afternoon at St James' Park, believing they had blown their chance to finish in the top five with a poor showing at home to David Moyes' Everton. Players were crestfallen on the turf at full-time, before news finally made it to Eddie Howe's senior stars that Manchester United had done them a huge favour.
It means the Magpies will once again be playing Champions League football, while Villa - who are saddled with a huge wage bill - miss out on the vast riches of Europe's biggest competition.