Villa lodge complaint over ref who called off goal with UCL on the line

Aston Villa filed a complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) on Sunday to "raise concerns" about the referee who disallowed a goal that could've helped them qualify for the Champions League.

Villa believe a more experienced official than Thomas Bramall should've been appointed for Sunday's season finale against Manchester United. Bramall refereed 11 Premier League matches this season in addition to 12 in the second-tier Championship, according to transfermarkt.com.

The flash point occurred midway through the second half with the game still goalless and promising to deliver the point Villa needed to finish in the top five. Bramall blew his whistle as Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers dislodged the ball from underneath United 'keeper Altay Bayindir, negating the goal that followed. The VAR on duty couldn't intervene because the play was blown dead.

Villa said the decision was a "major contributing factor to the club not qualifying for the Champions League" and instead finishing in sixth. Newcastle placed fifth only on goal difference.

"As per the standards that have been established over the course of the season, a decision to whistle early is clearly inconsistent with current refereeing guidelines," Villa said in a statement. "VAR exists to ensure that these types of situations receive the scrutiny they deserve. Unfortunately, the technology was not allowed to serve its purpose."

The goal would've given 10-man Villa an improbable 1-0 win at Old Trafford. Emiliano Martinez's red card for a bodycheck outside the area left his team shorthanded for the entire second half.

United quickly went the other way and scored through Amad Diallo. Christian Eriksen's penalty gave United a 2-0 win.

"I don't think any of us in the dressing room, anyone watching the game, felt like we deserved to win. Man United deserved to win. They were the better team. They were on the front foot (and) missed loads of chances. But the decision is incredible," Villa captain John McGinn told TNT Sports. "I think everyone, when VAR was implemented, wanted the correct decisions. ... For Thomas to blow his whistle at that point is really tough to handle. I don't think we deserve to win the game, but at that point, you're 1-0 up with 20 (minutes) to go. All you need is a point to get into the Champions League. It's a really costly one."

Villa manager Unai Emery followed Bramall down the tunnel after the game ended and said the referee told him he made a mistake.

"He whistled. He needed to have it under his control, waiting for VAR. I believe in VAR. I spoke with the referee and he knows his mistake," Emery said, according to Birmingham Mail correspondent John Townley. "I make mistakes, my players and the referees. We have to accept it. I believe in VAR."