Aston Villa rained on Pep Guardiola’s parade in his final game as Manchester City boss, as his decade-long reign in which he won 20 trophies ended with a 2-1 defeat.
With the title already confirmed to be heading to North London, City’s clash with Villa was no longer about bidding for glory, but rather about sending Guardiola, John Stones and Bernardo Silva off on a winning note.
It was the latter of that trio who saw the first big chance of the game fall his way, as Silva exchanged passes with Savinho before striking towards goal, and although his effort tested Marco Bizot, his fairytale moment didn’t come. City didn’t have to wait too much longer to nose in front though, as midway through the first half Tijjani Reijnders’ corner was turned in at the back post by the unmarked Antoine Semenyo.
Savinho looked dangerous for the hosts, and he came close to doubling their advantage just a matter of minutes later when he watched on with angst as his deflected effort drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.
It was the Brazilian who the next big chance fell to as well, as he was quickest to react to Phil Foden’s deflected effort and forced Bizot into a fine reaction save at his near post to ensure a heavily-rotated Villa side following their midweek European triumph went into the break just a goal behind
