Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins spoils Guardiola’s Manchester City leaving party

“Pep Guardiola!”: the two magical words for all of a Manchester City stripe came from the Etihad Stadium announcer ahead of the great man’s entrance in light-tan slacks and white T-shirt, a ‘P’ for Pep emblazoned across the left breast pocket. From a record 60,332 crowd due to the opening of the extension to the newly named The Pep Guardiola Stand. They came in the blazing sunshine and temperatures over 25C to experience three sad and fond farewells – to John Stones, Bernardo Silva and a genius,

Before the contest tifos of the trio appeared, Guardiola’s having three sobriquets: “game changer”, “history maker,” and “City forever”. Apt from a 55-year-old who said: “Now is the time, I’m pretty sure. Once we announced I thought, maybe I was wrong. The past has been really good with us, but the future will be better without me. You have to have a special energy.” Silva, crying, led the team out for a season finale Guardiola hoped would end in a victory that never arrived due to Aston Villa’s thirst for the same result – Phil Foden’s late strike chalked out for offside – illustrating why Unai Emery’s team are a force. They showed, too, how they became Europa League champions last week when Douglas Luiz, Tyrone Mings, and Ian Maatsen sliced through City’s press. Ross Barkley’s run, too, impressed and caused Guardiola to slump in his seat. Yet for passage, those in light-blue had Villa where they like them: hemmed in, having to repel constant attacks in the heat. The result: Antoine Semenyo’s opener, after 23 minutes, from a corner from the left. Lamare Bogarde flicked this on – mistakenly – and the Ghanian hooked home from the far post. Home merriment and a drinks break followed. So, too, more City pressure, Savinho and Tijjani Reijnders flashing at goal.

Key points

• Before the contest tifos of the trio appeared, Guardiola’s having three sobriquets: “game changer”, “history maker,” and “City forever”.
• Apt from a 55-year-old who said: “Now is the time, I’m pretty sure.
• Once we announced I thought, maybe I was wrong.
• The past has been really good with us, but the future will be better without me.
• You have to have a special energy.” Silva, crying, led the team out for a season finale Guardiola hoped would end in a victory that never arrived due to Aston Villa’s thirst for the same result – P…