Manchester City take on Aston Villa at the Etihad this afternoon in Pep Guardiola's final game in charge of the Blues
Manchester City's defender John Stones waves to fans as City players celebrate on the pitch after the English FA Cup final win against Chelsea
John Stones could be handed a start in his final Manchester City outing
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Pep Guardiola takes charge of Manchester City for the final time this afternoon as the Blues welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad.
City's hopes of overhauling Arsenal in the Premier League title race were ended by the midweek draw at Bournemouth so the Blues are certain to finish in second spot. Guardiola confirmed his exit on Friday morning and gave an emotional press conference later that day ahead of his final fixture.
It will be an emotional Etihad as the Blues fans bid farewell to their greatest ever manager while long-serving stars John Stones and Bernardo Silva will also move on after the contest.
Both could start in Guardiola's final XI with the City chief expected to make a few changes to the side that started at Bournemouth.
Gianluigi Donnarumma will continue in goal while Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly have the full back positions locked down. But Stones could return in the middle of defence and Ruben Dias may well partner him.
Silva will skipper the side in the middle with Rodri alongside him given the latter proved his fitness against Bournemouth. Phil Foden could come into the team while Jeremy Doku is a certain starter on the left. Rayan Cherki seems the best bet for the number 10 position and Erling Haaland will lead the line.
Predicted City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Stones, Dias, O'Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo, Cherki, Foden, Doku, Haaland