Referee blunder and Martínez's moment of madness floor Villa

On 73 minutes here came a moment that Aston Villa argued afterwards might have cost them the bumper prize of Champions League football next season and its lucrative cash injection of millions, and which promoted an official complaint about why Thomas Bramall and not a more experienced referee was in charge.

- Jamie Jackson

A weak Harry Maguire header had Altay Bayindir scrambling to collect. As he did, Morgan Rogers prodded the ball from his clutches - the goalkeeper did not appear to have it under control - and the forward found the empty net.

Cue pandemonium because Bramall, a select group 1 official since 2022, had blown his whistle before the strike so the video assistant referee could not intervene - and so cue, too, Unai Emery and his players going ballistic at the referee and his officials as the match remained scoreless.

This being the funniest of old games, what happened next was predictable. A Bruno Fernandes cross was met by Amad Diallo's head, Robin Olsen, on for the sent-off Emiliano Martínez, was beaten in Villa's goal and Emery's men were down to sixth - despite Newcastle losing against Everton.

A madcap end to the contest next featured Ian Maatsen taking down Diallo as he surged into the area and Bramall awarding a penalty that drew sarcastic Emery applause. Christian Eriksen converted and the home support offered gleeful waves to Villa's fans. The visitors' Champions League hopes then rested on a comeback in eight added minutes. It did not happen and so Villa were heartbroken.