Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa result - Red Devils end Premier League season on a high as Villans miss out on UEFA Champions League

Aston Villa ended the 2024/25 Premier League season in sixth place, missing out on UEFA Champions League football.

Manchester United started the match on the front foot, looking to get at a nervous Aston Villa from the off.

Mason Mount had two huge chances within the space of seconds with just five minutes on the clock, seeing his first effort from close range saved magnificently by Emi Martinez before heading an effort straight at the Argentina goalkeeper just moments later.

Amad Diallo went close to opening the scoring for United after 12 minutes, firing a low effort just inches wide of the post.

United went even closer on the half-hour mark, with the ball falling to Diogo Dalot who rifled a vicious effort which rattled the post and back into play. A scramble ensued but the visitors managed to squirm the ball away from danger.

Martinez, who had kept Aston Villa in the match in the first half, was shown a straight red card in injury time after he rushed out of his goal before taking out Rasmus Hojlund.

The saving grace for Villa in the first half was that, despite going down to 10 men, they somehow went in at the break on level terms.

United started the second half as they ended the first, getting forward and putting Villa under pressure. Bruno Fernandes came close to opening the scoring just five minutes into the second period, letting fly with a wonderful effort from distance which whizzed just wide of the post.

It was then Casemiro's turn to go close for United, with the Brazilian striking a post with a deft, curling effort.

Controversy struck at Old Trafford with 15 minutes to go, with Morgan Rogers winning the ball off Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir before scoring, but the goal did not stand, with the referee blowing for a free-kick for a foul on the United 'keeper before Rogers had scored. Replays showed that Bayindir did not have the ball under control and Rogers had not committed a foul, but the decision could not be reversed as the referee had already blown for a free kick.

To add insult to injury for Aston Villa, United then took the lead just minutes later, with Diallo heading home brilliantly from a Fernandes cross.

United doubled their lead and made sure of the three points when the departing Christian Eriksen stepped up to convert from 12 yards after Diallo had been fouled.

For United, the result was a positive end to what was a disastrous campaign. For Aston Villa, it was total and utter heartbreak.

Aston Villa captain John McGinn spoke to TNT Sports following his side's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"The decision [to not give the goal] is incredible. I think, everyone, when VAR was implemented wanted correct decisions, if it's offside then it's offside. In rugby, if a try is given [and it's incorrect], it's overturned. If it's right, then it's given. It's so hard to take, the impact on us as a club. For Thomas [Bramall - referee] to blow his whistle at that point, it's tough to handle."

This is the moment Morgan Rogers thought he had given Aston Villa what would have been a crucial lead in the Champions League race.

Missing out on Champions League football is one thing, but to miss out on it the way Aston Villa have takes it to a whole other level. Morgan Rogers saw his goal not count despite clearly not committing a foul, although because referee Thomas Bramall had blown for a free-kick before Rogers scored, the decision could not be undone by VAR.

This will be a really tough one to take for Villa and Unai Emery.

Aston Villa have missed out on Champions League football, finishing the season in sixth on 66 points following defeat at Old Trafford. Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle have made up the rest of the Champions League places, finishing third, fourth and fifth respectively.

You can check out the live table here:

Manchester United 2-0 Aston Villa

Aston Villa have missed out on UEFA Champions League football following defeat at Old Trafford.

Malen fires a ball across from the right-hand side but overcooks it and it's straight out.

There will be a minimum of eight minutes added on here at Old Trafford.

The ball falls to Barkley who tries to get over the ball but can't and fires his effort over the crossbar.

Christian Eriksen scores from the spot after Amad was brought down in the penalty area by Maatsen.

Donyell Malen and Ross Barkley are on for Morgan Rogers and Boubacar Kamara.

As things stand, Manchester City (71), Chelsea (69) and Newcastle (66) make up third, fourth and fifth in the UEFA Champions League spaces. Villa need a goal from somewhere!

Morgan Rogers is booked for a foul on Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes puts in a great cross and Amad Diallo is on hand to head home! A brilliant header!

Confirmation of the double change made earlier by United, with Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans replacing Mason Mount and Ayden Heaven.

Jacob Ramsey pinches the ball off Bayindir before converting, but the referee blew for a free kick to Aston Villa and the goal isn't given.

Aston Villa are now into a UEFA Champions League place and they have Everton and specifically Charly Alcaraz to thank, with the Argentine firing Everton ahead and thus putting Newcastle out of the Champions League positions.

Manchester United are up to 17 shots now at Old Trafford, Aston Villa on the other hand, have mustered just two all afternoon.

Bruno Fernandes swings his left foot at the ball with a decent strike but it flies wide of the post.

Jacob Ramsey and Youri Tielemans are on for Amadou Onana and John McGinn.