Need to know
Pep Guardiola's last game in charge of Manchester City will come in the form of the Premier League showdown against Unai Emery's Aston Villa
Pep Guardiola celebrating after a Manchester City game
Pep Guardiola will manage Manchester City for the final time on Sunday(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
All you need to know to watch Man City vs Aston Villa:
UK Broadcast Details: You can catch this high-stakes encounter live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports UHD, with the broadcast beginning shortly before the simultaneous 4pm kick-off. As part of a historic final-day arrangement, every single Premier League match will be available across Sky’s linear channels or via the Sky Sports+ streaming service for subscribers.
The Battle for Fourth Place: Although Arsenal have already been crowned champions, Aston Villa arrive at the Etihad needing a positive result to guarantee a fourth-place finish ahead of a surging Liverpool. Currently holding a three-point lead over the Reds, Villa must avoid a heavy defeat because Liverpool’s superior goal difference means any slip-up could see Unai Emery’s side demoted to fifth by Sunday evening.
Champions League Coefficient Context: Fortunately for the traveling fans, the Premier League has successfully secured an extra "performance slot" for next season’s Champions League, meaning the top five teams will all qualify for Europe's elite competition. As if winning the Europa League wasn't enough, this safety net ensures that even if Villa falls to fifth in the standings, their place among the European elite for the 2026/27 campaign remains mathematically secure.
Pep Guardiola’s Final Farewell: The emotional focal point of the afternoon is the departure of Pep Guardiola, who officially confirmed on Friday he will leave Manchester City after 10 legendary years at the helm. This match represents the final chapter of a decade-long era that redefined English football, leaving the City faithful to bid a tearful goodbye to the man who delivered 20 major trophies to the club.
The Succession Plan and Legacy: While rumours suggest former understudy Enzo Maresca is the frontrunner to take the hot seat, the day will be dedicated entirely to celebrating Guardiola’s tactical genius and unprecedented domestic dominance. Expect a rapturous atmosphere at the Etihad as the club prepares a massive post-match ceremony to honour a manager who fundamentally changed their history forever.
Villa’s European Glory: Villa enter this match in fine fettle after their magnificent 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul on Wednesday. That historic win ended a 44-year drought for major continental silverware and saw "Super" Emery claim a record-extending fifth Europa League title, cementing his status as a modern managerial great.
Manchester City Team News: On the pitch, City are expected to field a strong XI to give Pep a winning send-off, though emotional farewells are also expected for veteran stalwarts like Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who may be playing their final minutes for the club. Despite the midweek fatigue from their draw against Bournemouth, Guardiola will demand the perfection that has been a hallmark since arriving in Manchester back in 2016.
Aston Villa Team News: For the visitors, the squad is likely to be operating on adrenaline following their Turkish triumph, with stars like Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans expected to start after their goal-scoring heroics in the final. Emi Buendía remains in scintillating form after his midweek goal, and while there may be some heavy legs in the second half, the momentum of being European champions makes them a dangerous opponent for Pep’s final bow.