Aston Villa's Champions League dream ends after controversial VAR call
Disallowed Morgan Rogers goal sparks official complaint as Villa fall short in Old Trafford defeat.
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| Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa challenges Altay Bayindir of Manchester United before scoring a goal that was later disallowed by VAR during the Premier League match at Old Trafford on May 25, 2025, in Manchester, England. Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images |
By Randy Ahmad and Yuni Utomo
Hands clasped firmly behind his back, Unai Emery remained rooted to the touchline at full time. His gaze was fixed, not on his players or the scoreboard, but on referee Thomas Bramall—the man whose split-second decision had, in Villa’s view, changed the course of their season.
Bramall’s final whistle brought more than just an end to Aston Villa’s Premier League campaign. It signaled the death of their Champions League dream. Despite entering the match knowing a point would secure qualification, Villa left Manchester United’s ground with a 2-0 defeat—and a bitter sense of injustice.
In a match that could have defined the club’s modern era, one refereeing call, according to Villa, derailed their ambitions. That single moment became a lightning rod for frustration, one that will reverberate through the corridors of Villa Park for months to come.
A goal disallowed, a dream denied
The critical flashpoint occurred in the 73rd minute. A defensive header from Harry Maguire was chased down by Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who reached the ball before United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir could gather it cleanly. Bayindir had just one hand on the ball when Rogers touched it away and rolled it into the empty net.
But referee Bramall had already blown his whistle for a supposed foul. Because of this early whistle, VAR was rendered powerless. The goal was nullified before it could be reviewed. That single call—technically within the rules—was viewed by Villa as the moment their Champions League hopes vanished.
Had the goal stood, Villa would have gone ahead 1-0 with just under 20 minutes left. At that point, Newcastle United were trailing Everton, a result that ultimately held, meaning a Villa win would have secured fourth place.
Instead, Manchester United capitalized moments later. Amad Diallo scored a header, giving United the lead. A later penalty converted by Rasmus Højlund sealed the result. Villa were left tied on points with Newcastle but fell to sixth on goal difference. Europa League qualification was a bitter consolation.
Aston Villa's official complaint and frustration with referee selection
Emery’s frustration turned into action. After the match, Villa lodged an official complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), questioning why Bramall, one of the least experienced officials in the Premier League, was chosen for such a high-stakes fixture.
"With such high stakes surrounding today’s fixture, the club believe a more experienced referee should have been appointed," the club said in a statement. "The decision to disallow Morgan Rogers’ goal was a major contributing factor to the club not qualifying for the Champions League."
The complaint emphasized that while errors are part of the game, the real issue was PGMOL’s assignment process. Bramall, 35, was only promoted to Select Group 1—the elite tier of English referees—at the start of the 2022-23 season. He had officiated just 11 Premier League matches this term, alongside 10 in the Championship, where VAR is not used.
Villa’s leadership also raised concerns directly with PGMOL technical director Howard Webb at full time.
Damian Vidagany, Villa’s director of football operations, stated: “The complaint is not about the decision, it is about the experience of the referee. The problem is why international referees weren’t here today.”
Club captain John McGinn echoed that sentiment: “I think he’s a young referee who has progressed very quickly. Maybe we could look at having more experienced referees. It’s just an incredible decision and makes today even worse than it should be.”
The cost of missing the Champions League
Villa’s sense of loss was not only emotional or sporting—it was financial. Missing out on the Champions League means missing out on a minimum of £30 million in revenue, with the potential to rise past £100 million. That’s income that would have helped Villa stay within the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and UEFA’s upcoming financial regulations.
Over the last two financial years, Villa have posted losses of more than £200 million. Champions League revenue would have offset those losses and reduced the need to sell key players in the summer transfer window.
Instead, the club may now have to part with stars like Emiliano Martinez, Leon Bailey, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey, and Ollie Watkins. Several of these players had been awaiting confirmation of the club’s European status before entering contract talks. That uncertainty has now been resolved—in the most disappointing way.
The broader problem with VAR and officiating standards
This isn’t the first time Aston Villa have been on the wrong side of an early whistle. In 2019, a goal from Henri Lansbury against Crystal Palace was ruled out after referee Kevin Friend blew for a perceived dive by Jack Grealish. VAR was again unable to intervene due to the premature whistle.
The inconsistency between letting play continue and stopping it early remains a sore point across the league. In a recent Nottingham Forest match, the assistant referee allowed play to continue—resulting in striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffering a ruptured intestine—only to later raise the flag for offside. The contrast with Bramall’s quick whistle highlights the need for more standardized application of VAR protocols.
As Emery pointed out post-match, “The key moment was the goal of Morgan Rogers. The referee should have waited. VAR was coming.”
While officiating decisions dominated the post-match narrative, Villa’s own performance also came under scrutiny. Emery admitted the showing was “disappointing.” Villa failed to register a single shot in the first half, appeared tentative in possession, and were structurally vulnerable.
A costly error from Matty Cash just before halftime led to Emiliano Martinez being sent off. From there, Villa’s task became even harder. United capitalized on their man advantage and controlled the second half, sealing the result.
In McGinn’s words: “United absolutely deserved to win.”
What happens next for Villa?
Though Europa League qualification ensures continued European football for a second straight season, the missed opportunity stings. Aston Villa were poised to become the first club outside the traditional “Big Six” to qualify for back-to-back Champions League campaigns.
Now, they face a challenging summer. Adhering to PSR and UEFA’s stricter 2025-26 regulations will likely force Villa to make difficult financial decisions. From managing player wages to making strategic sales, the club’s hierarchy will need to be resourceful.
Villa have also delayed some contract extensions until they understood their financial position. That clarity has now arrived—but not in the form they had hoped.
Villa’s official complaint to PGMOL may not change the past, but it raises essential questions about referee selection and VAR implementation in the Premier League. For a club that has built steadily under Emery and dared to dream of European glory, the events at Old Trafford represent not just a missed opportunity, but a call for reform.
Whether their protest leads to change remains to be seen. But for now, Villa are left to reflect on a painful ending to a promising season—one whistle, one call, and one goal that never was.
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