Credit: Imago

James Barker

Fri 22 May 2026 16:40, UK

Pep Guardiola doesn’t have a strong recent record against Aston Villa, as the legendary manager prepares for what is reportedly going to be his final game as Manchester City boss.

Sunday is going to be an emotional afternoon at the Etihad Stadium, as Man City are set to say goodbye to the Guardiola era.

The 55-year-old will be leaving City at the end of the season, having joined them a decade ago in the summer of 2016.

He’s won just the six Premier League titles, five League Cups, three FA Cups, three Community Shields, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and one Champions League during his time in charge there.

So, Aston Villa face a huge task against Man City this Sunday, but the Villans have lived up to their nickname when it comes to facing Guardiola in recent times.

What is Pep Guardiola’s record against Aston Villa?

Aston Villa haven’t won at the Etihad since 2007 in the Premier League, and what a cruel time it would be to end that run this weekend as far as Man City would see it.

Unai Emery and his Villa side wouldn’t care one bit, and anyway, they’ve still got fourth place to secure.

In fact, it is the Villa Park outfit who have the recent bragging rights in the fixture, having beaten the Cityzens 1-0 in this season’s reverse fixture.

So, they will be tasked with playing the role of party poopers at the Etihad, and whilst it looks written in the stars for Guardiola to sign off with a win, that’s far from a guarantee.

During his time as Man City manager, Guardiola has faced off against Aston Villa 14 times in all competitions, and he’s been the victor on 10 of those occasions.

However, over the course of the last five meetings he’s had with the boys from B6, the Catalonian coach has lost three of them.

All five of those games have been in the Premier League, with Villa beating City 1-0 last time out in that aforementioned fixture, as well as winning 2-1 on matchday 17 of the 2024-25 campaign and 1-0 on matchday 15 of the 2023-24 term respectively.

Aston Villa have acceptable issue ready to go against them

Aston Villa fans are still pinching themselves after Wednesday night, having seen their side crowned champions of Europe with a 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final.

Because of this, Villa will be going into the final day full of confidence, as well as being armed with their strong recent record against Guardiola.

However, with the party still going from Wednesday night as the team enjoyed their bus parade through Birmingham City centre on Thursday, the hangover, both metaphorically and literally speaking, may still be present on Sunday.

Everyone connected with Aston Villa exerted so much energy into bringing that trophy home on Wednesday night, that the challenge of playing against City’s relentless possession-based approach could see them come undone.

But, if that is to be the case, then Emery’s men will certainly be forgiven, as they’ve given the Villa faithful a season to remember, and memories in Turkey to remember for a lifetime.