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Aston Villa’s hopes of securing back-to-back Champions League qualifications ended in heartbreak as they fell 2–0 to Manchester United, finishing sixth and settling for a Europa League place next season.
The turning point came midway through the first half when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was sent off, leaving Unai Emery’s side with a mountain to climb.
Read more: Tottenham crowned Europa League champions after 1-0 victory over Manchester United
But the moment that will dominate post-match discussion came with the score still goalless: referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle for a foul on United keeper Altay Bayindir just as Morgan Rogers put the ball in the back of the net.
With the play stopped before the ball crossed the line, VAR could not intervene—despite replays suggesting Bayindir may not have had full control.
In a match reported by the Standard, the decision left Villa furious, and their frustrations boiled over at full-time as players and Emery confronted the referee.
United capitalised, scoring twice to close out their campaign on a positive note.
Despite a dismal season overall, Erik ten Hag’s side finish 16th following the win and Tottenham’s 4–1 defeat to Brighton.
Elsewhere, Manchester City claimed third, Chelsea secured fourth, and Newcastle took fifth, joining Arsenal, Liverpool, and the champions in next season’s Champions League.
Nottingham Forest settled for seventh and a place in the Europa Conference League.
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