Latest news with #JohnMcGinn
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
What is your Villa moment of the season?
When do you know you belong somewhere?The Champions League fixture list confirmed Villa were not imagining it - the first win, in the chocolate-box scenery of Bern, seemed almost too easy. Was this all for real? Villa had made it to this level all right, but now they needed to really a little over 10 minutes to go in their second game, against Bayern Munich, it happened. It was all the more sensational because only one man, Jhon Duran himself, could possibly have known what was going to happen. And yet, even he could not have realised as he ran on to Pau Torres' pass, how his life was about to change. With Manuel Neuer – Manuel Neuer! – advancing towards him, barely taking a glance at the target, Duran hooked the ball around a defender, over Neuer, into the North Stand Park exploded. Duran, now instantly famous all over Europe, stood as if modelling for his own statue while his team fell around him. As it happened, it took a moment of utter football fantasy to make Aston Villa's Champions League status feel like Villa's end-of-season awards, John McGinn won the prize for goal of the season. "I feel a bit of a fraud to be honest, because that's not the best goal of the season," he said when handed the award."I just want to thank Jhon Duran for going..."Tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Fan scorecard: Unsung hero? Happy with Emery?
Season Rating: 8/10 - mainly for the season being full of possibility right until the final few weeks. For the owners and Unai Emery, it will potentially be seen as a step back with your manager? Emery is clearly Villa's best chance of achieving top-level success. However, a developing pattern has emerged of the team choking in high-stakes games where they were favourites, producing poor and hesitant performances - Olympiakos, Monaco (when a result was needed to secure a top-eight finish), the FA Cup semi-final, and now Manchester this the manager's fault, or have his players let him down?Unsung hero: John McGinn - he has been in the odd position where despite being the captain, in a fully fit squad, he doesn't necessarily have an automatic starting position. This season could have been one of transition for him, with the midfielder being phased out, but McGinn has been vital to keep Villa going through a tough you would most like to sign: Villa have the team to help Liam Delap kick on, considering he scored 12 goals for a relegated Premier League team at the age of just 22. He has the game and predatory spirit that would suit Villa. But there is a queue forming for his services, which will push his price beyond being decent now, my overriding emotion from the season is: In isolation, it has been an enjoyable season, mainly for the Champions League adventure. Looking ahead, because of how the season ended, the main feeling for the bigger picture is one of trepidation and it being a potential sliding doors season features a Champions League now with 30% of the Premier League in it. That is six teams with a chance of better revenue than Villa and the ability to offer players top-tier European football in the summer transfer window. Not you agree with David's answers? Pick one or two categories and send your views Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why was Morgan Rogers' goal disallowed and did it cost Aston Villa Champions League football?
Morgan Rogers was denied a goal in Aston Villa's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United after a controversial decision ruled out his opener for a foul on goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Villa came into the match knowing they needed to defeat Ruben Amorim's men to secure a spot in the Champions League next season and thought they had gone ahead, following Emiliano Martinez's red card, only for Rogers' effort to be chalked off. The attacking midfielder took the ball away from Bayindir, who did not have control of it, rounded the goalkeeper and scored but referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle before the ball entered the goal. That meant that his on-field decision of a foul committed by Rogers could not be reviewed by the VAR and it resulted in the goal being scrapped and Villa's lead wiped out. The controversy was also addressed by Villa's captain John McGinn who spoke after the match saying: 'It's tough to take [missing out on Champions League] especially in the circumstances. 'I don't think any of us in the dressing room, felt like we deserved to win. Man Utd deserved to win, they were the better team, on the front foot and missed loads of chances but the decision is incredible. 'I think everyone, when VAR was implemented, wanted the correct decisions. You watch rugby and if there's a try, even if the referee's awarded it if it's wrong it's overturned, if it's right the try is given. 'I know it's the rule, I've seen it a couple of times but it's hard to take especially as the impact it has on us as a team and a club is so big. For Thomas to blow his whistle at that point is tough to take and to handle. 'I don't think we deserved to win but at that point you're one up with 20 [minutes] to go, all you need is a point to get into the Champions League, it's a costly [decision].' On commentary duties for TNT Sports, Ally McCoist was adamant that the goal should stand. He said: 'That's a goal. I'm telling you right now, that's a goal. The ball is out his [Bayindir's] hands when he [Rogers] kicks it. It must be a goal. I reckon when Rogers touches the ball to knock it through it isn't in the goalkeeper's hands. It's got to be a goal.' Manchester United's worst season in 51 years ended with Amad Diallo's header and the departing Christian Eriksen's spot-kick sealing a 2-0 victory after Rogers' goal was ruled out. The defeat meant that Newcastle finished above Villa in the league table and took the final Champions League spot with Unai Emery's men finishing sixth and heading for the Europa League next season.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aston Villa lodge Premier League complaint over referee selection after disallowed Morgan Rogers goal
Aston Villa have complained to the Premier League about the selection of inexperienced referee Thomas Bramall to referee the game that cost them Champions League football. Villa manager Unai Emery said Bramall admitted making a mistake when disallowing a Morgan Rogers goal at 0-0, before they went on to lose 2-0 to Manchester United and finish sixth. Bramall had blown his whistle, thinking Rogers had fouled United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, before his shot crossed the line, meaning VAR could not overturn his decision. Villa captain John McGinn called it 'an incredible decision' and Emery added: 'I spoke with the referee and he knows his mistake.' The 35-year-old Bramall is in his third year as a Premier League official and Villa director of football operations Damian Vidagany said they felt a more experienced official should have been appointed to a game of such importance. He said: 'The complaint is not about the decision. The complaint is about the selection of the referees. One of the most inexperienced referees for one of the most difficult matches of the season involving another four or five teams. 'It's not about the decision. The decision is clear. It's a mistake. The referee apologised for the mistake. We can do nothing. The problem is why the experienced international referees were not here today.' A statement released by Villa later on Sunday read: 'Aston Villa can confirm the club has written to the PGMOL to raise concerns over the selection process of match officials following today's game with Manchester United at Old Trafford. 'With such high stakes surrounding today's fixture, the club believe a more experienced referee should have been appointed. Of the 10 referees to officiate across the Premier League today, Mr. Bramall was the 2nd least experienced. 'The decision to disallow Morgan Rogers' goal, which would have given the club a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes remaining in the match, was a major contributing factor to the club not qualifying for the Champions League. 'As per the standards that have been established over the course of the season, a decision to whistle early is clearly inconsistent with current refereeing guidelines. VAR exists to ensure that these types of situations receive the scrutiny they deserve. Unfortunately, the technology was not allowed to serve its purpose. 'Ultimately, we acknowledge that the outcome for us will not change, but we believe that it is important to address the selection methodology to ensure that high stakes matches are treated as such with regards to officiating and to ensure that the implemented VAR technology is allowed to be effective.' PGMOL appoint the officials and chose Bramall, who had also been in charge for Liverpool's 5-1 win over Tottenham last month and who sent off Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the first half. Emery felt Rogers' disallowed goal was the turning point, adding: 'Today we can speak about the season, we can speak about the night we played today and we can speak about the key moments. And the key moments of course was the goal of Morgan Rogers and how the referee in that moment decided this action. He whistled and of course he needed to have it under his control, waiting for VAR because VAR is coming for him. I spoke with the referee and the referee knows his mistakes. 'I make mistakes every day, I made mistakes as well and the players are making mistakes on the field and sometimes the referee. Of course we have to accept the mistakes, I believe in VAR and I think we have very good referees in the Premier League sometimes, making mistakes.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aston Villa file complaint after Champions League dream ended in Man Utd defeat
Aston Villa will make a complaint to the Premier League after a controversial 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday cost them Champions League football next season. Villa missed out on a top-five finish on goal difference to Newcastle and will need to settle for a place in the less lucrative Europa League instead. The visitors had goalkeeper Emi Martinez sent off before half-time and were furious at the decision to disallow a goal by Morgan Rogers when the score was still level at 0-0. Referee Thomas Bramall blew for a foul on United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir before Rogers put the ball in the net, meaning VAR could not then review the decision. To rub salt into Villa's wounds, United then struck through Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen's penalty to deny them the point they needed. "The decision is incredible," said Villa captain John McGinn. "To whistle at that point, it is hard to take. All you need is a point to get into Champions League." Villa director of football operations Damian Vidagany told reporters the club will complain to the Premier League over the decision to appoint Bramall instead of a more experienced official. Despite the win, United finished their worst ever Premier League campaign in 15th. - 'Good days' ahead for Man Utd - Fresh from defeat in the Europa League final, United supporters took aim at the club's owners before kick-off. Chants and banners again called for the American Glazer family to sell their majority stake after overseeing a drastic decline in the club's fortunes during their 20-year reign. However, manager Ruben Amorim said he believes "good days" are coming for the fallen English giants as he apologised to fans after the match. "Today after this disaster season, I want to tell you the good days are coming," said Amorim. "If there is one club in the world that can overcome any season, any disaster, it is our club, it is Manchester United." Alejandro Garnacho was absent from the United squad entirely after reportedly being told by Amorim that his future lies elsewhere. Yet, the under-fire Portuguese coach got the response he would have wanted in a fine performance. Martinez was starting what could be his final game for Villa amid speculation he is set for a move. If that is the case, the Argentinian ended on a sour note as he came rushing off his line to wipe out Rasmus Hojlund and see red after the striker latched onto Matty Cash's underhit backpass. Hojlund then thought he had ended his wait since December for a home league goal only for the offside flag to rule out the Danish striker's header. Diogo Dalot and Casemiro also hit the post, provoking Amorim to kick a water bottle in frustration. The mood among the travelling support was lifted when Everton went in front at Newcastle, meaning a point would have been enough for Villa to finish in the top five. However, the course of the game changed within seconds. Bayindir was deemed to have control of the ball before Rogers robbed it and fired into an empty net. Moments later, Diallo stole in at the back post to head in Bruno Fernandes' cross. Diallo was then chopped down by Ian Maatsen and Fernandes allowed Eriksen to take the honours from the spot in the Dane's final United game. kca/pb/nf
