Aston Villa take drastic action after controversial refereeing decision vs Man Utd

Aston Villa are set to take action after they were denied a crucial opening goal at Old Trafford to deny them Champions League football for next season.

Villa believed they had clinched Champions League qualification for a second straight season when Morgan Rogers seemingly dispossessed United goalkeeper Altay Bayındir and stroked the ball home.

However, referee Thomas Bramall had already blown for a foul on the United keeper before the ball crossed the line, meaning despite Bayinder not having the ball in both hands VAR was unable to intervene.

With Newcastle United losing at home to Everton, a draw would have secured Villa a top five place in the Premier League, and following the game Villa are set to take action.

According to David Ornstein Villa are set to lodge an official complaint due to the consequences of the decision.

He wrote on X: "Aston Villa plan to make official complaint to PL after loss at Man Utd denies club CL qualification.

"#AVFC feel a more experienced referee should have been selected to officiate game of such magnitude. PL have been approached for comment," he added.

Unai Emery on the Old Trafford touchline (credit: Getty)

Following the incident, the Premier League match centre released the following statement: "The referee’s call was a free kick to Manchester United with Bayindir deemed to be in control of the ball before Rogers gained possession.

"The whistle was blown by the referee before the ball entered the goal, therefore the incident was not reviewable by the VAR."

Following the match, Villa captain John McGinn called for the PGMOL to change the rules so mistakes like this would be overturned in the future.

“The decision is incredible," he told TNT Sport at full-time.

“Everyone wanted the correct decisions when VAR was implemented. In rugby, if a try is given then it can be overturned if it’s wrong."

“I know the rule but it’s hard on us. For him to blow his whistle at that point, it’s really, really tough to handle. It’s a really costly one. We only needed a point to reach the Champions League.”