Unai Emery speaks out after controversial refereeing decision prevented Aston Villa from qualifying for the Champions League

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has broken his silence after a controversial refereeing decision caused his side to miss out on Champions League football.

In what was undoubtedly the most important match of what was a dramatic final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, United claimed a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

The visitors thought they had taken the lead through Morgan Rogers late in the second half, only to learn that the goal wouldn't stand after referee Thomas Bramall had already blown the whistle for a foul on the Villa star before he found the back of the net.

Minutes later, United took the lead through superstar Amad, before Christian Eriksen doubled their lead after United were awarded a penalty.

The result, alongside scores elsewhere in the Premier League, meant that Villa narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Champions League due to goal difference, and Emery is not happy.

Immediately after the final whistle, the Spaniard was spotted waiting for Bramall in the Old Trafford tunnel, and clearly made his thoughts about the controversial incident known.

And once he had calmed down, he spoke with TNT Sports and explained his frustrations over the hugely consequential decision.

"The TV showed it was clear, but we have to accept it, it was a big mistake. It was the key moment but overall, they deserved it more," Emery admitted.

"We didn't perform enough today to get a good result, but we could have if a some decision wasn't like it was."

The Villa boss also confirmed that he had spoken with the referee, and that Bramall has acknowledged that he made a mistake in the moment, but Emery then made it clear that he did not want to talk about it in detail.

"We are in Europe, we have to be happy" 🏆

Unai Emery reacts after his side's controversial defeat to Man Utd, and reflects on the season as his Aston Villa side make the Europa League for next season 🇪🇺

🎙️ @julesbreach | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/CBboe1Hnkc

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 25, 2025

Instead, the Spaniard praised his squad and revealed that before the season, their goal was to be playing European football next season, a task that they have now achieved.

He added: "We got Europe, we are in the Europa League and we have to be happy with this achievement. Our objective was to be in Europe and we have to happy and be proud of everything we've done."

However, it would seem that not everyone at Aston Villa agree with Emery's outlook, as it has since been reported that the club will make an official complaint to the Premier League about the result and how it will impact next season.