Controversy as Villa lose at Man Utd and miss out on Champions League

Aston Villa had a goal controversially ruled out after goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was sent off as they lost at Manchester United to miss out on a Champions League place.

With Newcastle losing 1-0 to Everton, 10-man Villa were on course to qualify for Europe's premier club competition before Amad Diallo scored a looping header from Bruno Fernandes' cross-field ball in the 76th minute.

The goal came just moments after Villa thought they had taken the lead when Morgan Rogers put the ball in the net.

It did not count as the referee judged Rogers had kicked the ball out of goalkeeper Altay Bayindir's hands - and because he blew his whistle before it went into the net, the video assistant referee was unable to intervene.

Villa boss Unai Emery was incensed by the decision, and was furious again when United were awarded a late penalty after Ian Maatsen brought down Diallo

Christian Eriksen, who is leaving Old Trafford in the summer, scored to seal the 2-0 victory.

Defeat means Villa, who had reached the Champions League quarter-finals this season, will be playing in the Europa League next season.

They had been reduced to 10 men in first-half injury-time.

Rasmus Hojlund collected an underhit backpass from the halfway line from Villa's Matty Cash, and Martinez charged out of his penalty area to barge the Danish striker to the ground.

Referee Thomas Bramall was left with no choice but to brandish the red card, with Villa having to bring on substitute goalkeeper Robin Olsen in place of playmaker Marco Asensio.

Martinez, a World Cup winner with Argentina, was in tears last week after the 2-0 win over Tottenham at Villa Park, with that leading to speculation that he would be leaving the club in the summer no matter what.

United ended the season in 15th - their lowest finish in English football since one season in the old Second Division in 1974-75.

Immediately after the final whistle, manager Ruben Amorim spoke to the United supporters, saying: "First of all, I want to apologise for the season.

"Today after this disaster season, I want to tell you the good days are coming."

A 1-0 loss to Tottenham in Wednesday's Europa League final meant Amorim's side failed to qualify for Europe - the first time United will not have continental football since 2014-15 and only the second occasion since 1990.

However, Amorim, who left goalkeeper Andre Onana, left-back Luke Shaw, winger Alejandro Garnacho and forward Joshua Zirkzee all out of his matchday squad, saw his team dominate the first half.

Martinez made four vital saves in the opening 10 minutes, twice denying Mason Mount and also keeping out efforts from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.

Diogo Dalot, who came on for the injured Noussair Mazraoui, hit the left-hand post but the Portuguese defender himself was substituted at half-time with Kobbie Mainoo coming on.

With the man advantage, United dominated the opening stages of the second half.

The frustration was growing around Old Trafford though, summed up by Amorim kicking a water bottle in annoyance as Casemiro's curled effort bouncing off the upright, with the manager getting a warning from the fourth official.

But the late goals from Diallo and Eriksen at least ended the season on a positive note for United.

Source: BBC Sport