Aston Villa’s hopes of securing a Champions League berth were dashed in a contentious 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, marred by a disallowed goal and a red card to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
With Newcastle United falling 1-0 to Everton, Villa were poised to clinch a top-four finish despite playing with 10 men after Martinez was sent off in first-half stoppage time. The World Cup-winning Argentine goalkeeper, who was seen in tears after Villa’s recent win over Tottenham, charged out of his penalty area and fouled Rasmus Hojlund, who had intercepted a wayward backpass from Matty Cash. Referee Thomas Bramall issued a straight red card, forcing Villa to replace playmaker Marco Asensio with substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
The match’s turning point came in the 76th minute when Villa thought they had taken the lead through Morgan Rogers. However, the goal was controversially disallowed after referee Bramall ruled that Rogers had kicked the ball out of United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir’s hands. As the whistle was blown before the ball crossed the line, VAR could not intervene, leaving Villa manager Unai Emery furious.
Moments later, Manchester United capitalized, with Amad Diallo scoring a looping header from Bruno Fernandes’ precise cross-field pass. Emery’s frustration deepened when United were awarded a late penalty after Ian Maatsen fouled Diallo. Christian Eriksen, set to depart Old Trafford this summer, converted the spot-kick to seal United’s 2-0 victory.
The defeat consigns Villa, who reached the Champions League quarter-finals this season, to the Europa League next term. The match has fueled speculation about Martinez’s future, with the goalkeeper reportedly emotional amid rumors of a potential summer exit.