Aston Villa to lodge complaint over referee selection after disallowed goal at Old Trafford

Aston Villa will submit an official complaint to the Premier League over the appointment of referee Thomas Bramall for their season-ending fixture against Manchester United.

The Midlands club were enraged after a key decision went against them during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat, which ultimately cost them a place in next season’s Champions League.

The controversy stemmed from a second-half incident when Morgan Rogers poked the ball away from United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and finished into an empty net.

However, Bramall had already blown for a foul, deeming Bayindir to be in control of the ball with both hands.

Because the whistle was blown before the ball crossed the line, VAR was unable to intervene.

Moments later, United took the lead through Amad Diallo, before Christian Eriksen sealed the win from the penalty spot.

The result meant Villa finished sixth, missing out on a Champions League spot on goal difference to Newcastle United, who lost to Everton.

In the post-match press conference, Villa’s director of football operations Damian Vidagany confirmed the club would file a formal complaint.

He insisted the issue was not solely the decision itself, but the choice to assign one of the league’s less experienced referees to such a high-stakes fixture.

Bramall was promoted to Select Group 1 in 2022 and has split his officiating duties this season between the Premier League and the Championship.

“It’s not about the decision – clearly, it was a mistake,” Vidagany said. “The complaint is about the referee. The problem is why the international referees were not here today.”

Villa captain John McGinn described the decision to disallow the goal as ‘incredible’ and ‘really costly’.

Speaking to TNT Sports, McGinn said it was a difficult one to accept given what was at stake.

He also questioned the pace of Bramall’s rise and whether a more experienced official should have been appointed.

Manager Unai Emery, although measured in his tone, admitted that the disallowed goal had been a turning point.

He revealed that Bramall acknowledged his mistake in their post-match conversation.

“We have to accept mistakes,” Emery said. “But this one hurt us a lot.”

The Premier League later clarified that the goal was not reviewable due to the whistle being blown before the ball went in.