A NIGHT WHERE FOOTBALL TOOK SECOND BILLING TO A GIANT... FAREWELL PEP

CITY’S Pep Guardiola era ended with defeat to Aston Villa on an afternoon where the football took second billing.

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Pep Guardiola with the Premier League trophy after the final game of the season against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The day was a celebration of the Guardiola era with the boss departing after a glorious 10 years at the helm.

Bernardo Silva and John Stones, both handed starts and both given guards of honour when they were replaced in the second half, will also leave City this summer.

But the Blues couldn’t send that trio off with a win. The home side dominated the first half and led thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s cushioned finish. But Villa were vastly improved in the second period and an Ollie Watkins brace gave them the points with City denied a late leveller when Phil Foden’s effort was ruled out after a VAR check.

Here are the key points from Pep’s post-match interview...

“When the club tells me which one it is, of course I will call him. I will tell him the same like I said on Friday - be yourself.

“The club will support you unconditionally and that is the biggest compliment and the biggest luck that all manager here have Txiki, now Hugo and Ferran, and especially the work of Khaldoon.

“Be yourself. You will be protected in the bad moments more than any other club.

“Be free with your ideas, work a lot and everything will be fine.

“Fans don’t forget winning the Trebles and cups. When you win two titles in a season and the other one you are there in almost the last corner, take value in that.

“It’s so difficult, and they value that [being there]. This business is so complicated.