Aston Villa to File Premier League Complaint Over Referee Selection After Costly Loss to Manchester United
Aston Villa are preparing to lodge a formal complaint with the Premier League over what they believe was a critical error in referee selection for their decisive final-day fixture against Manchester United. The match, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for Villa at Old Trafford, ultimately cost them a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League—a bitter pill to swallow after a season of remarkable progress under manager Unai Emery.
At the heart of Villa’s grievance is the appointment of referee Thomas Bramall, a relatively inexperienced official at the top-flight level. With Champions League qualification on the line, the club argues that such a high-stakes match should have been overseen by a more seasoned referee. Bramall, who was officiating just his tenth Premier League match, made a number of contentious decisions that Villa believe significantly influenced the outcome.
The most pivotal moment came in the 34th minute when Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was shown a straight red card for what Bramall adjudged to be a professional foul on United forward Rasmus Højlund. Replays suggested that Martinez made minimal contact and may have even played the ball, prompting fury from Villa’s players and coaching staff. Down to ten men, Villa struggled to cope with the attacking threat posed by United and were soon trailing.
Another flashpoint came early in the second half when Morgan Rogers appeared to have scored an equalizer for Villa, only for the goal to be ruled out after Bramall blew for a foul on United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. The decision left Villa fans incensed, as replays showed minimal contact during what seemed to be a fair challenge. The disallowed goal sapped the momentum Villa had built and effectively ended their hopes of mounting a comeback.
Villa officials believe these decisions underscore the need for more experienced officiating in high-stakes fixtures, especially when European qualification is at stake. A senior club source confirmed on Sunday night that the club intends to file a formal complaint to the Premier League, not just in protest of specific decisions but to demand a review of how referees are assigned to decisive matches.
“It’s not just about one or two calls,” the source said. “It’s about ensuring that clubs fighting for major European places aren’t disadvantaged by inexperience at the officiating level. We believe the decisions made in this game had a direct impact on the result—and therefore on our season.”
The loss meant that Villa finished fifth, just two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who secured the final Champions League berth. Villa’s impressive campaign, marked by attacking flair and defensive resilience, had seen them defy expectations to stay in the top four for much of the season. Missing out on Champions League football in the final game has understandably left the club and its supporters devastated.
The Premier League has yet to comment on Villa’s impending complaint, but it is expected that the Referees’ Committee, led by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), will review the incidents in question. While retrospective changes to match outcomes are exceedingly rare, Villa hope that their formal protest will lead to stricter guidelines around referee appointments, particularly for end-of-season matches with significant consequences.
This is not the first time this season that officiating has come under scrutiny in the Premier League. VAR controversies, inconsistency in foul recognition, and questions over transparency have plagued the campaign, with several clubs voicing concerns throughout the year. Villa’s case could become a lightning rod for broader discussions about referee standards, accountability, and the overall fairness of match officiating in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.
For now, Aston Villa must regroup and prepare for a Europa League campaign. However, the sense of injustice stemming from Sunday’s events will not dissipate quickly. The club’s decision to escalate the matter formally suggests that they are determined to seek change, not only for themselves but for the integrity of the Premier League as a whole.