Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa: The Red Devils close the season with decency as Emery’s side fall short
On a tense final day of the Premier League season, Aston Villa’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot were derailed by a red card, a refereeing decision that left Unai Emery incandescent, and two goals from a resurgent Manchester United.
With Newcastle faltering at home to Everton, the door was wide open for Villa to sneak into Europe’s top competition. With a match against one of the worst sides in the Premier League this season, Villa would have been expected to do that, but Emery’s side saw their season turn into a tale of what might have been.
Manchester United were by far the better side this particular afternoon and created a lot of chances, but things worsened for Villa at stoppage time of the first half when Emiliano Martinez brought down Rasmus Hojlund well outside his box, after Matty Cash had played a terrible back pass. The red card that followed was inevitable. Martínez’s exit forced Emery to sacrifice Marco Asensio for reserve goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
In the 74th minute, Morgan Rogers knocked the ball away from United keeper Altay Bayindir, who was struggling to secure the ball he had left his goal-line for, and turned it into the empty net. But referee Thomas Bramall had already blown for a foul, penalising Rogers for kicking the ball out of Bayindir’s hands. The decision left Emery fuming at the sidelines.
Within minutes, Villa’s heartbreak was compounded when Bruno Fernandes sent a lofted pass to the back post and Amad Diallo rose unmarked to nod in United’s opener. Just 10 minutes later, Amad was fouled in the box and the resulting penalty was calmly converted by Christian Eriksen, in what is expected to be his final appearance for United.
With the result, United end the campaign in 15th, their lowest league finish in half a century, and will go into next season without European football of any kind.
Afterward, head coach Ruben Amorim addressed supporters in the stadium, saying: “Six months ago, after two victories and one draw in my first three games, I said to you: ‘The storm is coming’.
“Today, after this disastrous season, I want to tell you: ‘The good days are coming’. If there is one club in the world that has proved in the past it can overcome any situation, any disaster, it is our club. It is Manchester United Football Club.”
That remains to be seen. Villa, meanwhile, will feel bruised and have to settle for a Europa League campaign, which is a notable achievement, but feels like a step down after the thrill of their Champions League performances this season.
