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Pep Guardiola steps onto the Manchester City touchline for the very last time as his ten-year tenure draws to a close against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Nothing is at stake in Man City's clash with the newly crowned Europa League champions after the midweek stalemate at Bournemouth handed Arsenal the Premier League title. Nevertheless, the Cityzens can still take pride in a season that delivered both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
The send-off for Guardiola's remarkable, silverware-filled reign is expected to be electric at the Etihad Stadium, with the Spaniard already honored by having a stand named in his tribute. Can the iconic manager bow out with a win?
Emotional Farewells for Bernardo Silva, John Stones
Guardiola will transition into an ambassador and technical adviser role within the City Football Group, but loyal stalwarts Bernardo Silva and John Stones will depart the Manchester club for good when their contracts run out this summer. The long-serving pair will bid their goodbyes against Villa.
City have no injury worries heading into the fixture, with Abdukodir Khusanov, Rodri and Joško Gvardiol all having returned to action in recent weeks. Whether Guardiola will make any final tweaks to his preferred starting lineup remains to be seen.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma—James Trafford has served as the goalkeeper across both cup competitions City have claimed this season, a curious footnote in the campaign for Donnarumma.
RB: Matheus Nunes—The dynamic right back has firmly cemented himself as Guardiola's undisputed first choice. Will City's incoming manager—widely expected to be Enzo Maresca—share that view?
CB: John Stones—"I honestly could never have dreamt of doing the things that I've done," Stones admitted ahead of Sunday's match. A decade after joining the Etihad, the centre-back departs having claimed 17 trophies for the club.
CB: Marc Guéhi—Guéhi's promising City career is only just getting started, the defender picking up an FA Cup winners' medal last weekend after missing the Carabao Cup victory back in March.
LB: Nico O'Reilly—O'Reilly's outstanding campaign has earned him a spot in England's World Cup squad and a nomination for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
CM: Rodri—Rodri has been a cornerstone of Guardiola's success at the Etihad, the Spaniard's combative qualities frequently proving decisive for City at their very best. His compatriot has helped mold him into a Ballon d'Or winner.
CM: Bernardo Silva—Few players can rival Silva's legacy in the Premier League and at City. The effortlessly gifted playmaker will make his 460th appearance for the club against Villa, departing with a stunning haul of trophies.
RW: Antoine Semenyo—The FA Cup final match-winner has proven to be an outstanding mid-season signing for the Cityzens, helping the club secure two further pieces of silverware.
AM: Rayan Cherki—Cherki has been somewhat surprisingly left out of recent squads, yet City appear far more inventive when the Frenchman is finding space in threatening positions.
LW: Jérémy Doku—Doku has had a fruitful season and will be hoping a strong World Cup showing with Belgium can set the stage for an even more explosive 2026–27 campaign.
ST: Erling Haaland—While not yet officially confirmed, Haaland is set to claim his third Premier League Golden Boot when the final whistle blows on Sunday. The Norwegian's tally of 27 goals puts him ahead of nearest rival Igor Thiago, who has scored 22.