Spanish manager, Pep Guardiola’s final game as manager of Manchester City ended in an emotional 1-2 defeat at Etihad Stadium to Aston Villa in the Premier League 2025/26 match on Sunday 24 May, 2026.
The game was the 593rd of the Spaniard as head coach of the Cityzens as the home side got beaten following a brace from forward, Ollie Watkins.
On Friday, Guardiola, who will definitely go down as one of the greatest managers of his time, announced, he will step down as head coach of Manchester City at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
He carted twenty (20) trophies in his ten-year reign at Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola kicked off his last game against Unai Emery’s Villans very well with Antoine Semenyo, who moved to the Manchester-based club in January, 2026, opening the scoring for the hosts with a volley in the 23rd minute after a corner was flicked on at the near post.
It was Semenyo’s 17th League goal of the campaign.
However, Aston Villa, who are Uefa Europa League 2025/26 winners, came back well charged after the break and immediately levelled just two (2) minutes into the second half.
Defender, John Stones, who fielded his last for the Cityzens, suffered for his poor headed clearance which Watkins capitalized on to level for the visitors.
Bernardo Silva, who is departing Etihad Stadium, received a guard of honour as Guardiola substituted him; both men embraced in tears on the touchline.
And, in the 61st minute, Watkins was on target again as he placed Aston Villa in front with an assist from Ross Barkley. The England forward calmly put the ball past James Trafford.
At first, the goal was struck out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), but, it was later counted as Ruben Dias was playing him on.
The hosts actually found the leveller through English attacking midfielder, Phil Foden, but, it was cancelled for offside by VAR. The decision left Guardiola obviously disappointed.
The outcome cements Aston Villa’s place in the Uefa Champions League next season and deletes any hopes of AFC Bournemouth making it to the continental tournament.
After scoring twenty-seven (27) times in the 2025/26 season, Manchester City Norway striker, Erling Braut Haaland, carted home his third Premier League Golden Boot.
✨ A third @PremierLeague Golden Boot for @ErlingHaaland 👑 pic.twitter.com/TUrSzBKy56
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 24, 2026
Results:
| Premier League 2025/26 – Sunday 24 May, 2026 |
| Brighton 0-3 Manchester United |
| Burnley 1-1 Wolves |
| Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal |
| Fulham 2-0 Newcastle United |
| Liverpool 1-1 Brentford |
| Manchester City 1-2 Aston Villa |
| Nottingham Forest 1-1 AFC Bournemouth |
| Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea |
| Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Everton |
| West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United |
Photo: Pep Guardiola and Bernardo Silva embrace in tears as they both depart Manchester City | Manchester City/X
