Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Cameron Smith

Fri 22 May 2026 11:40, UK

Aston Villa travel to Manchester City on Sunday for their final game of the season, with both teams having little to play for on the face of it.

It has been a superb year for Unai Emery’s men, who put the perfect finishing touch on it by lifting their first major trophy in three decades on Wednesday, beating Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final.

With Villa needing a point to finish fourth, they now come up against a City side who are condemned to second place after Arsenal were crowned champions in midweek.

As Pep Guardiola looks to bow out on a positive note and Villa seek to end an outstanding season in fitting fashion, the two teams meet on Sunday.

Wholesale changes for Aston Villa as Unai Emery awaits season end

With the Villa parade taking place on Thursday, it would be a safe bet to say that Emery’s squad had not but a winks sleep between then and their final victory.

And that would be well and truly deserved, with the Villans securing their first European title in 44 years in stunning fashion over in Istanbul.

With a return to the Champions League secured last week against Liverpool, there is nothing of note resting on Sunday’s clash in Manchester, other than whether they finish fourth or fifth.

As a result, Emery may take the chance to make wholesale changes – giving those on the fringes a chance on the final day.

As a result, the lineup is possibly the most difficult to predict all season.

From Wednesday’s team, Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa are the only ones to remain in the XI, with Lamare Bogarde replacing Matty Cash, while Tyrone Mings and Ian Maatsen come in for Pau Torres and Lucas Digne.

Ross Barkley could start in midfield alongside Douglas Luiz, with the pair seeing out what could be their final day as Villa players.

There could also be final chances for Leon Bailey, Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho, who come in for John McGinn, Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia.

While up top, Tammy Abraham gets the start he has been pushing for in the league, with Ollie Watkins getting back to form across recent months, with eight goal involvements across his last nine league appearances.

With a total of nine changes, Emery offers some the chance to say goodbye, while some could still be feeling the effects of Wednesday’s celebration.

Aston Villa seeking a 2026 first at Man City

For the first time in three decades, Aston Villa’s travelling supporters can head on the road as cup winners, with a faint possibility of winning successive Premier League matches for the first time since December.

In an ideal world, Wednesday’s final would have come after the league season had concluded.

Instead, with one match still remaining, Villa fans are being offered what may be the least pressurised away day they could have imagined – despite losing 19 out of the last 20 matches away at City, while they have won eight of their nine final day matches under Guardiola.

More than anything, Sunday feels like a deserved reward for an outstanding effort – one that encapsulates Unai Emery’s time at the club perfectly.

Recovering from a dreadful start, Villa have shown exactly why they are now a side to be taken seriously in the Premier League – and with their long wait for silverware finally ended, there is every reason to believe they can grow even stronger.