Aston Villa have decided to make an official complaint to the Premier League after they were controversially denied a goal against Manchester United on Sunday.
Unai Emery's side missed out on Champions League qualification due to goal difference, finishing sixth after they lost 2-0 against United at Old Trafford in their final Premier League game of the season.
Villa thought they had opened the scoring in the 73rd minute when Morgan Rogers poked the ball away from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, but referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle before Rogers's strike crossed the line, claiming that the Englishman had kicked the ball out of Bayindir's hands.
However, replays showed that the shot-stopper did not have control of the ball, but VAR could not intervene as the whistle had already been blown.
Villa have made an official complaint to the Premier League over the selection of Bramall, who they claim should not have been chosen due to his limited experience of officiating big games.
© Imago
The consequences of missing out on Champions League football
While the team have still qualified for the Europa League and could reach the Champions League should they win the competition next season, the club will miss out on the revenue generated from being in Europe's premier competition.
The Lions are reportedly close to breaching profit and sustainability rules, and the failure to qualify for the Champions League could force the team to offload a number of stars.
Striker Ollie Watkins was the subject of interest in the January transfer window from Arsenal, and it would not be surprising to see the Englishman leave.
Elsewhere, attacker Morgan Rogers has attracted suitors due to his excellent performances this season, but his departure would leave the team needing to replace his speed and creativity.
It is also difficult to see how Villa would be able to bring Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford to the club permanently without sales.
If Emery's squad is depleted ahead of 2025-26, he could struggle to navigate the demands of the Premier League with what is likely to be a taxing campaign in Europe.
Lewis Nolan
