Image source: Getty Images
2025/26 English Premier League
Matchday 38
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Sunday, 24 May 2026
Kick-off is at 15h00
Manchester City's clash with Aston VIlla at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the season on Sunday, May 24 is likely to mark the end of an era.
The Premier League title race will not be going down to the wire after City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on May 19 saw Arsenal confirmed as 2025-26 champions.
There is now a growing sense that Pep Guardiola will announce his departure after the game against Villa despite having one year left on his contract with the Citizens.
Guardiola's side beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final last weekend to secure the 20th trophy of his 10-year reign, having also won the EFL Cup title two months ago.
City kept the pressure on the Gunners after going unbeaten in their last 15 matches since losing 2-0 to Manchester United on January 17.
But they dropped points in two of their last four outings to hand the championship to Arsenal for the first time in 22 years.
Image source: Getty Images
The Villans will be looking to spoil what could be a special moment for Guardiola and company, having already beaten the Citizens once this term in the reverse fixture at Villa Park on October 26 (a 1-0 win).
Unai Emery's side is bidding to match their best finish of fourth under the Spaniard which they achieved in 2023-24 - the West Midlands giants are three points clear of Liverpool but with an inferior goal difference.
Villa clinched UEFA Champions League football with a 4-2 triumph over the Reds on May 15 which was their first win four games.
Image source: Getty Images
Guardiola hailed his players for refusing to throw in the towel even when the Gunners were nine points clear at the summit at one stage.
"During my managerial career it was one of the years where we fought the most with incredible things that we could not control. We were always there and never gave up," he said.
"I would have loved to arrive in the last moment to try even though it wasn't in our own hands.
"Today the fatigue was there, they (Bournemouth) had 12 days to prepare that game and they played for qualification for the Champions League with an extraordinary team and are incredibly well managed.
"Since January we were really good. We had a lot of injuries and many things that were out of our control. We played many, many moments with difficulty and never gave up."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City wins - 2
Aston Villa wins - 3
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 38 fixtures:
Sunday, May 24
17h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
17h00: Burnley v Wolverhampton Wanderers
17h00: Crystal Palace v Arsenal
17h00: Fulham v Newcastle United
17h00: Liverpool v Brentford
17h00: Manchester City v Aston Villa
17h00: Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
17h00: Sunderland v Chelsea
17h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
17h00: West Ham United v Leeds United
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