- Ason Villa players paid tribute to John Stones and Bernardo Silva
- Wayne Rooney has been left unimpressed by the gesture on display
- Alan Shearer confirmed that he too is in agreement with Rooney
Aston Villa twice joined a guard of honour for Manchester City’s departing players, and Wayne Rooney is not happy about it.
Utter woke nonsense, or a heart-warming gesture? The guards of honour during Sunday’s match are causing plenty of discussion.
Bernardo Silva was replaced around the hour-mark, and both sets of players formed lines to applaud the Man City captain off the pitch.
The same thing happened 20 minutes later, with John Stones also given his heroes’ exit by the home and visiting teams.
Wayne Rooney disappointed by guards of honour
Speaking on Match of the Day, ex-United striker Rooney has revealed that the guards of honour made him ‘sad’.
However, this was not because of the emotions surrounding the departure of Silva and Stones. Instead, it was because of how the tributes were timed.
“It just makes me sad.” 😬
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 24, 2026
Wayne Rooney was not a fan of Manchester City’s guard of honour for Bernardo Silva and John Stones during the game. pic.twitter.com/H16Jeq04QM
“It’s incredible,” Rooney said of the two moments. “I’ve seen a few things this season and it just makes me sad that some of these things are happening in football.
“Bernardo Silva and John Stones have been incredible for Manchester City and they deserve it, but do it after the game.”
He added: “If I was in that Aston Villa team, I’d be fuming.”
Shearer agreed and said: I was surprised that Villa agreed to doing it, particularly with so long left. I mean with just over half an hour to go with one of the substitutions.
“So I’m in Wayne’s camp. I’m not a great fan of that whilst the game’s going on.”
The Stones and Silva tributes were unusual
Stones and Silva were always going to be given their moment after the final whistle. Indeed, this also happened, with both players addressing the fans from the pitch.
But it was perhaps a little strange that they were applauded off when they are only leaving City, rather than retiring.
A standing ovation from everyone inside the Etihad for Bernardo Silva 👏 pic.twitter.com/Wrlp35FHXC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 24, 2026
This was a moment significant to Manchester City, and so Aston Villa had no obligation on their part to get involved.
Nevertheless, Unai Emery’s team made their decision, and it did not affect the result anyway, as they picked up a 2-1 victory.
Aston Villa were in a celebratory mood too
Sunday’s result meant nothing to City, considering the Premier League title had already been lost against Bournemouth.
It was simply about celebrating the achievement of two club legends, and a manager who has won everything there is to win.
And Aston Villa were actually in a similar situation when it came to happy little to play for. Their Europa League final victory last Wednesday secured them Champions League football next season, so beating the Citizens was not a requirement.
Perhaps if the circumstances had been different, they would not have been so willing to pay their respects.
However, in the end the men in claret and blue did so willingly, and City supporters will have appreciated the kind gesture.
Ultimately it was their choice, so perhaps Rooney and Shearer should just stick to focusing on analysing the football.
