Manchester City host Aston Villa on Sunday in the final Premier League game of the season, Pep Guardiola’s farewell and a fourth-place finish the two headline storylines.
- Kick-off is at 4pm on Sunday 24 May, live on Sky Sports Action, Sky Go, Virgin TV Go and NOW TV
- Guardiola is expected to depart after Sunday, Bernardo Silva and John Stones make their final City appearances
- Villa sit fourth on 62 points: three clear of Liverpool, who face Brentford simultaneously
- Martinez is expected to be rested with a broken finger. Marco Bizot starts in goal
The occasion. A farewell fit for a legend
Sunday’s final Premier League fixture of the 2025-26 season carries an emotional weight that transcends any competitive significance. Pep Guardiola, expected to depart the Etihad after a decade of unprecedented success, will manage his final home game at a stadium that will now officially bear a Pep Guardiola Stand in his honour. That permanent tribute, unveiled ahead of Sunday’s kick-off, reflects the scale of what the Catalan manager has delivered across ten extraordinary years in Manchester.
Bernardo Silva and John Stones will both make their final appearances for the club, leaving as free agents after contributing to one of the most trophy-laden periods in English football history. City cannot finish higher than second, Arsenal’s Premier League title was confirmed in midweek, but giving Guardiola a winning send-off alongside two departing legends provides more than sufficient motivation for a team that has won 19 of their last 20 Premier League home games against Villa.
Haaland sitting on 27 Premier League goals and five clear of Igor Thiago in the Golden Boot race, could feature to secure the individual award. His presence would provide Villa’s rotated defensive lineup with a stern but entirely manageable examination.
What is at stake for Villa. Fourth place still possible
Villa travel to Manchester as Europa League champions and Champions League-confirmed, but Sunday still carries meaningful competitive implications. Emery’s side currently sit fourth on 62 points, three clear of Liverpool, who face Brentford simultaneously. A Villa point ensures fourth place regardless of the Liverpool result. A Villa defeat combined with a Liverpool victory would drop Emery’s side to fifth, though Champions League qualification is already secured through their league position regardless of final standing.
The specific significance of fourth place concerns the clubs below, with sixth place qualifying for the Champions League via the European Performance Spot only if Villa finish fifth or below. A fourth-place finish for Villa rules that scenario out entirely.
Team news. Rotation throughout
Emery is expected to make sweeping changes following the physical and emotional demands of Wednesday’s final in Istanbul, and Thursday’s victory parade through Birmingham. Martinez, who sustained a broken finger prior to the final and played through it, is expected to be rested. Marco Bizot starts in goal. Kamara and Alysson remain sidelined.
Several World Cup-bound players, including Rogers, Tielemans, Onana, Watkins and McGinn, are expected to be rested ahead of international duty in North America. Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho make farewell appearances before returning to their parent clubs. Tammy Abraham leads the line in what could be his final Villa appearance.
Predicted Aston Villa XI: Bizot; Garcia, Mings, Torres, Maatsen; Bogarde, Barkley; Sancho, Luiz, Elliott; Abraham.
Predicted Manchester City XI: Trafford; Nunes, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Nico González, Bernardo Silva, O’Reilly; Aït-Nouri, Marmoush, Savinho.
How to watch
Sunday’s 4pm kick-off is live on Sky Sports Action in the United Kingdom, available on channel 510 (Virgin Media), 410 (Sky) and 426 (EE TV). The game can be streamed via Sky Go, Virgin TV Go, and NOW TV, with a day pass available for £14.99. Highlights will feature on the Sky Sports website, YouTube, and the final Match of the Day of the season on BBC One at 10:30pm.
ReadAstonVilla Verdict
Champions League confirmed. Europa League won. Fourth place within reach. Emery resting his stars. Sunday is the perfect lap of honour for a squad that has delivered the most extraordinary season in the club’s modern history. Enjoy every minute and send Guardiola off with the respect a legendary manager deserves. The season is complete. What a year
