Manchester City 1 (Antoine Semenyo 23′)
Aston Villa 2 (Ollie Watkins 47′, 61′)
Here are the City player ratings and match report as Manchester City ended the 2025-26 season with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. A first half goal from Antoine Semenyo capped off a dominant first half from Pep Guardiola’s side. Ollie Watkins bagged a brace in the second half to seal all three points for Unai Emery’s side. However, today wasn’t about any of that it was about the Manchester City fans saying goodbye to Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 24, 2026
When the starting lineups were announced, Pep Guardiola had made nine changes to the starting eleven that drew with Bournemouth. Bernardo Silva and John Stones started their final games for Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola rotated his squad for the final time.
Ahead of the match, City captain Bernardo Silva was in tears in the tunnel with his daughter, which was sad to see. The weight of the day had gotten to Bernardo, and that moment showed what today was about rather than the result in the final game that Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones would feature in for Manchester City.
Bernardo Silva was in tears before his final @ManCity match 🩵 pic.twitter.com/VjkHgE87JJ
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 24, 2026
First half.
Pep Guardiola’s side made a bright start to the match, and Rico Lewis played a teasing low cross from the right that somehow none of his teammates tapped in in the second minute. Savinho produced similar from the left wing a minute later. Despite getting himself into a great position, the Brazilian international failed to play in a ball from a great position as the ball went out for a goal kick.
Manchester City had made a bright start to the match, and Bernardo Silva was denied a farewell goal in the 12th minute. A cleverly worked move from City saw Bernardo Silva played in on the left. The City captain got a shot on goal after getting on the end of a Savinho through ball, but Aston Villa keeper Marco Bizot was well-positioned to keep out Bernardo Silva’s shot.
Manchester City are rewarded for their bright start as Antoine Semenyo gives City the lead.
Pep Guardiola’s side would take the lead in the 23rd minute through Antoine Semenyo. Tijjani Reijnders floated a corner to the near post that Aston Villa right-back Andrés Garcia accidentally flicked across goal. Antoine Semenyo got to the ball and beat Aston Villa keeper Marco Bizot with a smart finish from close range at the back post to set the party off at the Etihad Stadium.
Following the cooling break, Pep Guardiola’s side picked up right where they left off. City were dropping Aston Villa with their possession play, and Rico Lewis played another teasing ball from the right that no one in a City shirt could get on the end of in the 28th minute. The Aston Villa defence failed to clear the ball, and they gave Savinho an opportunity to shoot. But his shot was deflected inches wide as City seemed determined to send off three club legends in style.
Tijjani Reijnders flashed a free kick over the bar from 30 yards out in the 34th minute. Savinho was fouled by Leon Bailey, which gave City a free kick in a good position. Antoine Semenyo laid the ball off for Reijnders, who unleashed a rocket on goal that went inches over the crossbar with Villa keeper Marco Bizot scrambling.
Aston Villa keeper Marco Bizot keeps the score at 1-0.
Tijjani Reijnders saw a stinging shot saved by Marco Bizot in the 42nd minute. Phil Foden made a driving run from midfield to the edge of the Villa penalty area. Reijnders took the ball off Foden’s feet and got himself into a great shooting position. The Dutch international fired in a stinging shot on goal that Bizot somehow kept out with a strong right-handed save.
Manchester City would take a 1-0 lead into the interval. Ultimately, the result was irrelevant, but all the hallmarks of a Pep Guardiola side were on full display throughout the first half. City dropped Villa with their possession play, and their high pressing was causing Unai Emery’s side issues when they were playing out from the back. All told, it was a great first-half display from Pep Guardiola’s side, and they deserved to have a much bigger lead than 1-0.
Second half.
The final 45 minutes of Pep Guardiola’s, Bernardo Silva’s, and John Stones’ Manchester City kicked off. It was hard to believe that after 45 minutes of football, a trio of City legends would end their time at the club. To get to that point there was 45 minutes to play.
Ollie Watkins equalizes for Aston Villa.
Aston Villa equalized immediately after halftime. Leon Bailey flighted a corner into a dangerous position that hit John Stones at the back post and ricocheted into the path of Ollie Watkins. Watkins rifled home from close range to make it 1-1 with Aston Villa’s first shot on target of the match.
Leon Bailey should have given Aston Villa the lead three minutes later. A long ball over the City defence set Bailey free down the right. Ruben Dias attempted to make a challenge that only helped Bailey get through on goal. Bailey unleashed a shot on goal from a great position, but his shot went wide. If Leon Bailey had looked up, he could have slipped through Ollie Watkins, who was unmarked in the middle.
Unai Emery’s side had dominated the opening 10 minutes of the second half. This was emphasized by the fact that they had enjoyed 86% possession after the interval. Pep Guardiola’s team was struggling to get out of their own half and needed to compose themselves to regain control of the match.
A legend says goodbye as he taken off to receive the ovation he deserved.
The first of the trio of goodbyes arrived in the 58th minute. Mateo Kovacic replaced Bernardo Silva. The Manchester City captain received a well-deserved standing ovation from everyone at the Etihad Stadium. The City and Aston Villa players formed a guard of honor for Bernardo Silva as he made his way to the bench. It was a special moment and one befitting Bernardo Silva’s status in the game. Pep Guardiola and Bernardo Silva were in tears when they embraced on the sideline. That was a special moment and one that will live long in the memory.
Ollie Watkins gives Aston Villa a 2-1 lead.
After Bernardo’s emotional farewell, Aston Villa took the lead in the 61st minute. A long clearance was controlled by Ross Barkley on the halfway line. Barkley slipped it to Ollie Watkins, who surged into the City penalty area. Watkins used some neat footwork to get around John Stones to get himself into a great position and Watkins beat James Trafford with a composed finish. VAR checked if Ollie Watkins was onside when Barkley played the ball. Watkins was played on by John Stones, and the goal stood.
Leon Bailey hit the post in the 76th minute. Aston Villa were pushing for a 3-1 lead, and they had City pinned back. Bailey received the ball on the left and surged into the City area. Bailey had James Trafford beaten, but his shot smashed into the post and stayed out.
John Stones said goodbye to the Etihad Stadium in the 78th minute. The England international was taken off and fittingly received a guard of honor from both teams, like his great mate Bernardo Silva. Everyone at the Etihad Stadium stood up and applauded the elegant centre-back, which illustrated how beloved Stones is at Manchester City.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, although it was irrelevant, City needed something special to send off Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones in style. Villa were by far the better side in the second half, so hopefully City had one more push in them for three all-time greats.
Jeremy Doku would flash a shot wide of the far post in the 86th minute. Doku cut inside from the left and tried to bend the ball into the far corner. Unfortunately, Doku’s shot curled wide with Villa keeper Marco Bizot a spectator as he watched the ball drift wide of his far post.
James Trafford would deny John McGinn two minutes later. Aston Villa broke with pace, and McGinn received the ball on the edge of the City area. The inspirational Villa midfielder curled a shot on goal that Trafford kept out with a strong save as he dove to his right.
Phil Foden seemingly equalizes for City in the 90th minute but VAR rules the goal out.
Manchester City would seemingly equalize in the 90th minute through Phil Foden. Mateo Kovacic slipped the ball through for Foden, who smashed the ball home past Marco Bizot to make it 2-2. VAR ruled the goal out for Phil Foden’s backside being offside, which was a tight call that was greeted with boos from the City fans.
There wouldn’t be any late drama following Phil Foden’s disallowed goal. The final whistle blew after 10 minutes of stoppage time which saw Aston Villa pick up a 2-1 win. Today was about saying goodbye to three Manchester City legends and the moments when Bernardo Silva and John Stones came off were special to see. Pep Guardiola had managed his final game for City, and his decade in charge provided a lifetime of memories.
City player ratings.
James Trafford-6/10: Trafford made one good save but could do very little about Villa’s goals.
Rico Lewis-6.5/10: Lewis was very good in the first half but faded out of the game in the second half.
John Stones-6/10: Stones looked rusty, especially in the second half, but who cares. The day was about saying goodbye to him and his farewell was a special moment when he was taken off.
Ruben Dias-6/10: The Portuguese international got through the full 90 minutes but did look short of a gallop.
Nathan Ake-6.5/10: Ake was composed in the first half but struggled in the second half as did his team.
Nico-6/10: The Spanish midfielder toiled away but didn’t really have an impact on the match.
Bernardo Silva-6.5/10: A captain’s display from Bernardo and he received the farewell he deserved when he came off the pitch.
Tijjani Reijnders-6/10: The Dutch international had his moments but couldn’t put any of his chances away.
Phil Foden-6/10: He was denied a late equalizer and had some nice touches during the game.
Savinho-7/10: One of Savinho’s better displays when he was on the left and he made several very good runs. However, his crosses weren’t met by his teammates which was disappointing.
Antoine Semenyo-7.5/10: A great performance from Semenyo. He took his goal well and his touch was superb throughout the match.
Substitutes.
Mateo Kovacic-6/10: Didn’t really influence the match after coming on.
Rayan Cherki-6/10: The French international flashed one shot wide after coming on but didn’t do much more.
Rayan Ait-Nouri-N/A: Probably cane on to late to make an impact.
Josko Gvardiol-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.
Jeremy Doku-N/A: Had his moments but not his day the end.
A very disappointing performance indeed. I expected every player to give 100% and send Pep off with a glittering win. Given Villa’s inept, disinterested first half performance, as we have done so many times this season, we were pathetic up front and wasted several chances to go in with a thumping lead. The second half was plain awful and made me really cross. As is the joy of football discussion, I wholly disagree with your view on Savinho. He really doesn’t match what City fans want to see and I’d sell him at the earliest opportunity. Had Villa have played with the interest of their second half in the first, we’d have been on the end of an embarrassing hiding – even more so than the 1-2 reverse we actually got.
I’ve tried to see with Savinho what Pep sees, and in glimpses it is there but too often he flatters to deceive and I expect him to be sold in the summer.
From the start it did have the look of a Car Boot Sale XI. Some players were off for free and one or two had a “For Sale” sign on the back of their shirts (Reijnders and Savio and Lewis come to mind). I think if we had to win this game things would have been different. In defence Stones and Dias looked past it and I see next season our defence would be between Reiss ,Khusanov ,Gvardiol and Guehi. A win would have been nice but the final result was indicative of our season and like Brighton last august. I feel things will tighten up next season and on a positive note, the Pep Guardiola Stand looks GREAT!
Car Boot Sale XI. Excellent suggestion.😀
I see the BBC had to try to taint Peps legacy by bringing up the 115 “Charges”. I am sick to death of this rubbish. Someone should tell them that any fool can make an allegation but proving it is another matter. The good money is actually on a City win because if the PL could prove their case 90% beyond reasonable doubt it would have been over many months ago!
The PL, controlled by the “Red Cabal” has had it in for Us for years and must owe Us millions in compensation for the last 2 Court Cases we won yet they had the cheek to demand a small fine for half time delays last season.
I suspect a result to be announced soon and it will be our biggest trophy yet!
Well said, Sir.
Let’s help that is all announced in the near future and the game, more so the media, can move on.
So do I Adam, but I suspect in the eyes of the so called fair minded public it will be a case of “they got away with it” as opposed to being “cleared”.
We are the best run Club ,financially and football wise in this Country (if not the World) and that is what they hate. Look at Spurs and Utd for example where the owners take money out of their Clubs and put in their pockets where our Owners do the opposite.
Football fans are too trible to see the difference so what better way to conceal your crimes and deflect suspicion than to point the accusing finger elsewhere?
Sadly mud sticks,even the clean stuff
I think it would have been over as soon as CAS cleared City. OK they were fined for non cooperation, but even that was reduced significantly. Even that was because City’s legal team said be careful what you disclose because info was being leaked from EUFA.
I think we all expected the PL to drop the matter after we beat UEFA but the PL seem to be stuck with their initial enquiry and not knowing how to drop it but I suspect a degree of vindictivness crept in no doubt encouraged by the “Red Cabal” of LFC, ManU and Arsenal who hoped they could sue us for being more sucessfull than them.
They appear to have got nowhere and in 2023 with the Government proposing a Football Regulator they had to do something with their “shoebox” full of loose ends so they called them “charges” and passed them on to the Current Panel to sort it out. Masters claimed it was for “the integrity” of the PL. Of course if he loses ,which I believe he will then all the other 19 PL Clubs will have to pick up the tab which they estimate to be over £45m plus City’s costs. The PL will ,I hope be discredited for the rotten organization that they are