Aston Villa Manchester United Unai Emery Thomas Bramall
(Credit: TNT Sports)
Villa News Speaking to Bryan King
Fri 30 May 2025 7:40, UK
Thomas Bramall could yet be punished after his error in Aston Villa’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Aston Villa travelled to Manchester on the final day of the Premier League season (25 May) with hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
Emiliano Martínez’s first-half dismissal, in what might have been his final action as an Aston Villa player, left Unai Emery’s side with a mountain to climb at Old Trafford.
However, it appeared as though they had reached the summit when Morgan Rogers put the ball in the back of the net, only for the goal to be ruled out controversially.
Morgan Rogers Aston Villa
Rogers’ goal was wrongfully disallowed (Credit: Imago)
Bramall ‘could face demotion to the Championship’
Rogers was thought to have taken the ball from Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir illegally, and Bramall called for a foul. However, replays showed Bayindir was never fully in control of the ball.
As Bramall had blown the whistle before the ball crossed the line, VAR could not intervene, and Villa saw their Champions League dream dashed in an instant, leading to the West Midlands outfit complaining to the Premier League.
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A draw would have been enough for Emery’s side to finish in the top five after Newcastle United’s 1-0 defeat to Everton at St James’ Park.
Premier League 2024/25 Position Points GD
Newcastle United 5th 66 21
Aston Villa 6th 66 7
Villa just missed out on the top five in the Premier League
Therefore, ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes that Bramall could be demoted to the Championship due to his decision.
“At no point did the goalkeeper have full control of the ball,” King said.
“Bramall made the decision far too early, as far as I was concerned. The moment he blew up before the ball crossed the line, that ruled out any VAR intervention.
“Villa’s complaint won’t change anything, sadly. It was a bad refereeing decision by an inexperienced referee. However, I can understand the frustration; they have missed out on a vast sum of money.
“As a result, I’m sure it will be a quiet start to the season for Bramall. I can see the championship calling. I think it could be some time before he is refereeing in the Premier League. Look, we all make mistakes. However, when you make a mistake of that magnitude, it isn’t funny.”
Unai Emery
Villa fumed at Bramall’s decision (Credit: Imago)
Villa will need to pick themselves back up
While Villa will be devastated to miss out on Champions League football due to a wrongful decision, they must not let it define next season.
The Villans still have everything to play for in the Europa League, which could grant them Champions League qualification if they are successful, as well as a European trophy.
Therefore, by the time next season comes to an end, the setback at Old Trafford could be remembered as a minor one en route to a bigger, brighter future.
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