Aston Villa will complain to the Premier League after a “big mistake” by referee Thomas Bramall contributed to them losing 2-0 at Manchester United and missing out on the Champions League.
With the match goalless and Villa down to 10 men after goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was sent off, the visitors thought they had scored when Morgan Rogers nudged the ball away from United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and slotted home.
However, Bramall blew for a foul, thinking Bayindir had two hands on the ball, though television footage showed otherwise.
Because Bramall stopped play before the ball entered the net, the video assistant referee (VAR) could not intervene.
Moments later, Amad Diallo headed United in front – and Christian Eriksen’s late penalty condemned Villa to a defeat that meant they finished sixth and missed out on Champions League football on goal difference.
In Villa’s post-match news conference, director of football operations Damian Vidagany said the club were unhappy 35-year-old Bramall had been given such an important game.
“We are going to send a complaint,” said Vidagany. “The complaint is not about the decision, it is about the selection of the referee – one of the most inexperienced referees in the Premier League.
“It’s not about the decision, clearly it was a mistake. The complaint is about the referee. The problem is why the international referees were not here today.”
Villa boss Unai Emery was visibly furious with the decision to disallow Rogers’ goal – and award United their late penalty.
Speaking after the game, he said: “The TV is clear with the move but of course, we have to accept it. It was a mistake. A big mistake.”
