Unai Emery’s Aston Villa had a goal controversially disallowed in their final-day match against Manchester United due to Altay Bayindir, and the Premier League has now issued an official statement to clarify the referee’s decision.
Days after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, Ruben Amorim’s side cruised past the Champions League-chasing Villans. However, after falling 2-0 to the Red Devils, they will have to settle with Europa League activity.
In their chase of Europe’s top table, the visitors were defensively resolute throughout but contributed little in the final third until the game’s closing minutes – when the man in the middle, Thomas Bramall, irritated the away fans.
Premier League Release Statement
“The incident was not reviewable by the VAR.”
Despite the fact that it went against the flow of play, the Villa Park-based team had the opportunity to take the lead – and so increase their hopes of qualifying for Champions League action the following season – just after the 70-minute mark when Morgan Rogers chased down a loose ball.
Altay Bayindir, who was stationed between the sticks ahead of Andre Onana, came out to pick up the ball, but, as the video reveals, the Turkey international never did. Rogers, who is linked with Chelsea, nicked it and converted into an empty net, but the Englishman’s goal was overturned.
“He has never held the ball in his hands, Ally. “That is not a foul!” TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher informed Ally McCoist.
The Villa Park crowd, unsurprisingly, are irritated that Champions League football for next season has been snatched from them, and have taken to X (previously Twitter) to explain why Bramall chalked off Rogers’ goal. The Premier League stated that the incident was not eligible for VAR review because Bramall blew the whistle before Rogers’ shot caressed the back of the Manchester United net.
Manchester United’s dominance paid off with a goal from Christian Eriksen, in his final appearance for the Red Devils, after two of Amorim’s best performers this season, Amad and Bruno Fernandes, combined. Despite a dismal campaign for Amorim, one of the best young managers in world football, and his entourage, Manchester United went home with a deserved win. Villa, on the other hand, fell out of the top five a week later.
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