That Villa were in Champions League contention on the final day shows they are now a side consistently able to challenge for Europe

Manchester United’s first Premier League victory since March cost Aston Villa Champions League football for next season, as the Villans failed to take advantage of results elsewhere. Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Chelsea and Newcastle United’s surprise home loss to Everton meant a point would’ve been enough at Old Trafford to secure a top-five finish,

Aston Villa has been angered by a refereeing decision which the club says was a “major contributing factor” in missing out on a spot in the Champions League.