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Aston Villa's ambition to play in the European Champions League has been frustrated.
Aston Villa lost 0-2 to Manchester United in the final 2024-2025 Premier League match at Old Trafford on the 26th (Korea time). Aston Villa, who were outnumbered by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez being sent off in extra time in the first half, missed the opportunity to take the lead after Morgan Rogers' first goal was canceled due to a foul, and eventually lost by conceding two goals to Manchester United. Aston Villa (66 points, +7 goalscoring points), which failed to add points due to the defeat, ended the season in sixth place, falling behind Newcastle United (66 points, +21 goalscoring points). Newcastle made a triumphant comeback in fifth place, the last line to play in the 2025-2026 European Champions League, but Aston Villa had no choice but to be satisfied with advancing to the Europa League by missing a victory in front of them.
Rogers' first goal scene was regrettable. Manchester United goalkeeper Altai Bindir slipped the ball he was trying to clear, but referee Thomas Bramall declared a foul, saying Rodgers kicked it while Bindir held the ball. However, the slow screen of the TV broadcast showed that Bindir did not catch the ball. The BBC reported that VAR could not intervene because the game was suspended without the ball crossing the line completely.
Referee Bramall first blew the whistle in the Premier League in August 2022. He is active in the first and second divisions this season, including 11 Premier League games and 12 Championship (second division). However, Aston Villa claim that it is one of the least experienced referees in the final match.
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After the game, an Aston Villa official said, `We plan to send a letter of protest to the PGMOL, not the Premier League secretariat,' `not to the judgment, but to send an inexperienced referee to such an important game.' Then "I know the results can't change. However, heavy matches should be treated as important, and VAR techniques should be able to be exercised effectively," he added. PGMOL declined to comment. The Premier League secretariat said on social media that the referee considered Vindir to have ball ownership prior to Rodgers. 'The VAR could not review it as much as the referee blew the whistle before the ball went into the net.'
The BBC stated that `The FA's regulations say that if a referee is mistaken for a score or penalty, an immediate exit, a warning or a serious misjudgment, then a VAR adjudicator can be helped.' Alan Shearer, a BBC commentator, said "For Aston Villa, it was certainly angered. It's an obvious misjudgment. Bindir didn't control the ball, and Rodgers had the right. Considering the results, this is a huge mistake."
The European Champions League is a 'dream stage' where all teams aspire to play. For Aston Villa, it was not just a dream come true, it was a place where survival was at stake. The BBC said `Although Aston Villa's profits have increased in the last two seasons, the gap with the so-called big six such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea, which compete in the Champions League every year, is still wide.' In particular, Aston Villa have the second-highest loss of £678 million after Chelsea (1.257 billion). Therefore, it was the team that was most desperate to play in the Champions League next season. After being promoted to the Premier League in 2019, Aston Villa invested £868 million in transfer fees alone. In this process, Aston Villa owe more than £150 million. A Champions League appearance could have helped recruit players and the club's cash needs,' he added. Then 'Aston Villa has only had one season in the past 15 years where it has broken even. It was entirely because of the revenue from sending out Jack Grealish, pointing out that the return in the Champions League, which is four times the size of the Europa League, could have been of great help.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
