The complaint is not about the decision… It’s about the selection of the referee.” — Villa’s Damian Vidagany
Aston Villa have lodged a formal complaint with referees’ body PGMOL after a contentious decision by referee Thomas Bramall contributed to their 2-0 defeat at Manchester United, costing them a Champions League place on goal difference.
With Villa reduced to 10 men after Emiliano Martínez’s red card, Morgan Rogers appeared to score the opener by dispossessing United keeper Altay Bayindir—only for Bramall to blow for a foul, wrongly judging Bayindir had full control. Replays contradicted the call, but as play was stopped before the ball crossed the line, VAR could not intervene. United soon scored twice, sealing Villa’s sixth-place finish.
Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, confirmed the complaint focused on Bramall’s appointment, calling him “one of the most inexperienced referees in the Premier League.” The club later stated: “With such high stakes, a more experienced referee should have been appointed… This decision was a major factor in us not qualifying for the Champions League.”
Manager Unai Emery labeled the disallowed goal a “big mistake,” while captain John McGinn told TNT Sports: *“Everyone wanted correct decisions with VAR. If you’re 1-0 up, needing a point for UCL, it’s costly.”*
PGMOL declined to comment, but the Premier League clarified Bramall’s call was “not reviewable” as the whistle blew pre-goal. Bramall, who debuted in the Premier League in 2022, has officiated just 11 top-flight games this season.