Villa’s Champions League dreams slip away
Manchester United 2 - 0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa saw their Champions League dreams slip away in dramatic fashion at Old Trafford.
Author | Olivia T
Stadium | Old Trafford
With Newcastle falling 1-0 to Everton, Villa (despite being reduced to ten men) were on course to seal a place in Europe’s top competition. That changed in the 76th minute, when Amad Diallo looped a header over Martínez from Bruno Fernandes’ raking diagonal ball.
Just moments earlier, Villa thought they had taken the lead through Morgan Rogers. However, the goal was chalked off, with the referee ruling that Rogers had kicked the ball out of Altay Bayındır’s hands. As the whistle had blown before the ball crossed the line, VAR was powerless to review the decision.
Unai Emery was incensed. His frustration deepened when Ian Maatsen brought down Diallo late on and Manchester United were awarded a penalty. Christian Eriksen, playing his final game for the club, converted to confirm the win.
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The defeat consigned Villa to a sixth-place finish, meaning they will compete in next season’s Europa League. It marks a disappointing end to a campaign that had seen them reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester United, by contrast, ended a dismal league season in 15th. This was their lowest finish since 1974–75, when they played in the old Second Division.
A positive way to end a turbulent campaign
A good way to end a bad campaign for Manchester United yesterday. eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com
— Super News Affiliate (@sup3rnew5affiliate.bsky.social) 26 May 2025 at 17:27
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After the final whistle, manager Rúben Amorim addressed supporters from the pitch, offering an apology. The 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in Wednesday’s Europa League final means United will miss out on European football entirely for the first time since 2014–15, and only the second time since 1990.
Amorim had made some bold selection calls, leaving out André Onana, Luke Shaw, Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee. His side made a lively start, with Martínez producing a string of early saves, denying Mason Mount twice and keeping out Fernandes and Casemiro.
Diogo Dalot, who replaced the injured Noussair Mazraoui, struck the post before being forced off himself at half-time. Kobbie Mainoo was introduced as United began to dominate with the extra man after Martínez’s dismissal.
There was evident tension inside Old Trafford as chances went begging. Amorim was visibly frustrated, at one point kicking a water bottle after Casemiro’s curling effort struck the woodwork, earning a stern word from the fourth official.
But Diallo’s breakthrough and Eriksen’s parting goal at least offered United a rare bright moment to end a turbulent campaign.
