- Pep Guardiola names his final Man City starting XI
- John Stones and Bernardo Silva start farewell fixture
- Nine changes made from Bournemouth draw
After a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in their previous Premier League outing, Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium for the final game of the campaign.
The Sky Blues already have two trophies secured this season after winning the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
However, today’s meeting with Aston Villa will carry emotional significance with three central figures set to leave the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola will take charge of City for the final time, while John Stones and Bernardo Silva are also preparing to bid farewell after hugely successful spells in Manchester.
Villa, meanwhile, arrive at the Etihad with silverware of their own after beating Freiburg in the Europa League final midweek.
With both sides looking to end memorable campaigns on a high, Guardiola has now named his final Man City starting lineup ahead of the clash against Unai Emery’s side.
Pep Guardiola makes nine changes for final Man City game
Pep Guardiola has made nine changes to his Manchester City starting lineup for his final game in charge against Aston Villa. Only Bernardo Silva and Antoine Semenyo retain their places from the side that drew 1-1 against Bournemouth.
James Trafford replaces Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, while Guardiola has changed his entire defensive line. Rico Lewis, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake all start, with Stones handed a fitting appearance in his final game for the club.
Bernardo captains the side on his own farewell appearance and is joined in midfield by Nico and Tijjani Reijnders.
Further forward, Phil Foden and Savinho come into the team alongside Semenyo. Erling Haaland is also absent from the squad, leaving City without their leading striker for Guardiola’s final match.
Confirmed Manchester City lineup vs Aston Villa
1. James Trafford
82. Rico Lewis
5. John Stones
3. Ruben Dias
6. Nathan Ake
14. Nico Gonzalez
20. Bernardo Silva ©
4. Tijjani Reijnders
47. Phil Foden
26. Savinho
42. Antoine Semenyo
Bench: Bettinelli, Marmoush, Kovacic, Cherki, Doku, Ait-Nouri, Gvardiol, Nunes, Alleyne
Man City must prevent Aston Villa exposing same weakness again
Despite the emotion surrounding the final game of Pep Guardiola’s reign, Man City cannot afford to underestimate Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s side have already beaten the Citizens this season, with Matty Cash’s first-half strike securing a 1-0 victory at Villa Park in October 2025.
On that occasion, City controlled large spells of possession but were repeatedly threatened, while Villa bypassed their first line of pressure.
Guardiola admitted after the defeat that his side struggled defensively when the Lions linked play behind City forwards.
