Joe Cole states that the Aston Villa players will be extremely frustrated with Morgan Rogers’ decision, and the club has officially lodged a complaint with the PGMOL regarding the officials’ selection process.

Joe Cole has claimed that Aston Villa’s players will be “seething” following the club’s decision to file a complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) over a refereeing “mistake” in their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

The controversy erupted midway through the second half when Villa’s Morgan Rogers had a goal disallowed. The striker was controversially adjudged to have kicked the ball out of the hands of United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir in the build-up, a decision that left many questioning the referee’s judgment.

Despite the contentious nature of the call, VAR was unable to intervene as referee Thomas Bramall had already blown his whistle for a foul before Rogers’ strike crossed the line. Just moments later, Unai Emery’s side, who needed at least a draw to secure a UEFA Champions League spot, conceded a goal to Amad Diallo’s header, with Christian Eriksen sealing United’s victory from the penalty spot.

On the decision, TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole emphasized that Villa would be “seething” due to what he described as Bramall’s “mistake.”

“The referee got it wrong,” Cole stated. “It was a crucial moment; Villa would have gone 1-0 up with 15 minutes to go, and that would have changed the perspective of the game.”

He added, “Ultimately, Aston Villa, who have been brilliant in the last few months, just didn’t turn up today. They will be seething in that dressing room because the referee did make a mistake. It’s a tough pill to swallow for Aston Villa, for their staff, players, and their supporters.”

In the aftermath of the match, Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, confirmed that the club would be lodging a complaint with PGMOL regarding the selection of Bramall, whom they deemed “inexperienced.”

“The complaint is not about the decision,” Vidagany clarified. “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.”

He continued, “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.”

Villa later released a statement confirming their concerns: “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.”

The statement went on to highlight the stakes of the match, asserting that a more experienced referee should have been appointed. “Of the 10 referees to officiate across the Premier League today, Mr. Bramall was the second least experienced.”

The club noted that the decision to disallow Morgan Rogers’ goal, which would have given them a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes remaining, was a significant factor in their failure to qualify 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.”

In conclusion, Villa acknowledged that while the outcome would not change, it was crucial to address the selection methodology to ensure that high-stakes matches are treated appropriately regarding officiating and that VAR technology is allowed to be effective.