Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 1-2 Aston Villa (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City fell to a 2-1 defeat on the final day of the 2025-26 Premier League season that marked Pep Guardiola’s final game as manager of the Blues.

The pre-match was dominated by farewell preparations as an emotional Etihad Stadium that also witnessed a final game in sky blue for John Stones and Bernardo Silva.

Unai Emery named a heavily changed lineup for the final Premier League fixture of the season after Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa League final win in Istanbul in midweek.

Guardiola, as well, named a second string starting XI as the likes of Erling Haaland and Rodri were given the day off for the Catalan’s last game as Manchester City manager.

City started well and dominated in the first-half, taking a 22nd minute lead after a clever finish from January signing Antoine Semenyo from a flick off a corner.

The game had the pace of a friendly as a side that reached European euphoria in midweek and enjoyed a parade upon their return to Birmingham faced off against a City side who were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth on Tuesday night to confirm Arsenal as Premier League champions.

Villa equalised just over 30 seconds into the restart as Ollie Watkins grabbed his fifth goal in as many games to add a plot twist to the final day of the 2025-26 campaign.

Guardiola sought to make changes as Rayan Cherki and Mateo Kovacic were introduced, with club captain Silva bidding a very emotional farewell to the Etihad Stadium faithful as the teary Portuguese was clapped off the pitch by both sets of players.

A moment of individual brilliant from Watkins on the counter saw the Englishman give the visitors a shock 2-1 lead with around 30 minutes to go, sitting Stones down and delicately finishing past James Trafford to complete the turnaround – following a VAR check.

Villa passed on a series of glorious chances to make it three and put the game to bed as they breezed past a leaky City midfield with wave after wave of attacks, leaving the Blues clinging on by a thread.

However, just on the cusp of injury time, it seemed as if substitute Jeremy Doku had slipped Phil Foden in to smash a leveller into the roof of the net following a sharp turn goalside as the game entered 10 minutes of added time.

But Foden’s effort was ruled out for offside and City fell to a 2-1 loss on Guardiola’s final match as manager – in a season that saw the Blues win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup double.

Here are the ratings from Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening:

Starting XI

James Trafford – 6/10

Nothing special to do on the ball and probably not much he could have done to thwart either of Watkins’ strikes.

Rico Lewis – 6/10

A rare day out for the City academy graduate, who was cute in attack but looked off his pace in defence as a result of very limited action this term.

John Stones – 6/10

Won his duels in the first-half but saw Watkins go past him with ease and finesse for Villa’s second before an emotional substitution on his final game in a Manchester City shirt.

Ruben Dias – 6.5/10

Formed the bedrock of a defence that has seen many a lineup this term, will take confidence from a run of minutes late this term after his return from injury – ahead of next season.

Nathan Ake – 6/10

Linked well with Reijnders and Savinho down the left in the first-half on a rare start at left-back these days on what could have well been his own final Manchester City game.

Nico Gonzalez – 5/10

Generally did not have a good game and was taken to the cleaners by a tricky, street-smart Villa side off the back of European glory.

Tijjani Reijnders – 6/10

Had moments but as has been the case all season, he gets in the right areas but lacks the decison-making and end product – a key reason for losing his starting place since the New Year.

Bernardo Silva – 6.5/10

Manchester City legend. Next.

Savinho – 7.5/10

Such a frustrating prospect to rate because he looks just short of world-class on days like these but can completely disappear into the oblivion of mediocrity the week after. By far City’s best attacker on what could also be the Brazilian’s final appearance for the club.

Phil Foden – 6.5/10

Was limited in his influence in the first-half but had the ball in the roof of the next on 90 minutes only for the strike to be adjudged offside.

Antoine Semenyo – 7/10

A strong end to as good as mid-season signing Manchester City have made under the Abu Dhabi ownership. Tidy finish from a flick off a corner.

Substitutes:

Mateo Kovacic – 6/10

Has been entrusted by Guardiola in the run-in but could do very little to impact the game late on.

Rayan Cherki – 6/10

Was short of his impactful best off the bench and couldn’t slice open a resolute Villa backline.

Jeremy Doku – 6.5/10

Injected pace on the left wing and set up Foden for his offside goal.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 6.5/10

Produced some magic on the left himself but there weren’t many City shirts in the box to meet his crosses.

Josko Gvardiol – 6/10

Tried to change the game by spraying passes into Doku after coming on.