Aston Villa ended their Premier League season in fourth place after a dramatic 2-1 victory at Manchester City, their first league win at the Etihad in over 19 years. The Europa League winners came from behind to spoil Pep Guardiola's final match in charge of City.
Match Summary
Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring for City in the first half, but Ollie Watkins scored twice after the break to turn the game around. Villa had already secured Champions League qualification the previous week with a win over Liverpool, before being crowned Europa League champions on Wednesday night.
Unai Emery made eight changes to the team that beat SC Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul, with only Victor Lindelof, Emi Buendia, and Watkins retaining their places. Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Harvey Elliott, Jadon Sancho, Morgan Rogers, Alysson, and Tammy Abraham were all absent.
Before the match, Emery presented Guardiola with a small gift, a replica of the lion statue at Villa Park. City started brighter, with Nico Gonzalez hitting the side netting and Marco Bizot denying Bernardo Silva. A VAR check cleared Tyrone Mings of a high boot, but Semenyo scored from a corner after Andres Garcia failed to clear.
Tijjani Reijnders could have doubled City's lead but Bizot saved. Villa equalised three minutes into the second half through Watkins, who reacted quickest from Leon Bailey's corner. Bailey then fired wide after beating Ruben Dias. Watkins scored again in the 61st minute, initially flagged offside but awarded by VAR, after running onto Ross Barkley's through ball and finishing past James Trafford. Bailey hit the post late on, and Phil Foden had a goal ruled out for offside.
Villa have now finished fourth in two of the last three seasons under Emery.
Player Ratings
Starting XI
Marco Bizot (8): Made a strong save to deny Reijnders late in the first half. The Dutch goalkeeper has proven a capable backup to Martinez.
Andres Garcia (5): Made his first league start of the season. Looked rusty, and his poor clearance led to City's goal. Substituted at half-time.
Victor Lindelof (8): Played in his familiar centre-back role and excelled. Signing of the summer.
Tyrone Mings (8): Improved in the second half. Captained Villa to their first league win at Man City since 2007.
Ian Maatsen (8): Eager to get forward and support attacks. Offered energy on the overlap in the final third.
Lamare Bogarde (7): Moved into midfield and impressed as the game went on.
Douglas Luiz (7): Expected to be his final match for Villa after returning on loan in January. Enjoyed his 75 minutes.
Leon Bailey (7): Likely his final appearance for Villa. Should have done more in transition and squandered a chance after Watkins' equaliser, but hit the post late on. Influential.
Ross Barkley (8): Operated as number 10. Tried to knit play together and grabbed an assist for Watkins' second.
Emi Buendia (7): Found dangerous pockets in the final third. Nearly latched onto Watkins' pull-back in the 80th minute.
Ollie Watkins (9): Held the ball up well despite little service in the first half. Scored twice after the break to take his league tally to 16. In serious form heading into the World Cup.
Substitutes
Matty Cash (8): Replaced Garcia at half-time and provided more experience and security.
Youri Tielemans (N/A): Replaced Luiz in the 75th minute.
Amadou Onana (N/A): Replaced Bogarde in the 75th minute.
Pau Torres (N/A): Replaced Lindelof in the 75th minute.
John McGinn (N/A): Replaced Barkley in the 86th minute.
Subs not used: Wright, Digne, Hemmings, Burrowes.
Goals
Man City: Semenyo (23')
Aston Villa: Watkins (47', 61')
