Manchester City welcome
Aston Villa to the Etihad for the final
Premier League fixture of the 2025/26 season. City sit second with 78 points after 37 games while Villa occupy fourth on 62. The title chase slipped away for Pep Guardiola's side after that 1-1 draw at
Bournemouth on 19 May. Arsenal lifted the trophy instead.
City's recent results show a side still sharp in patches. They beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final, then swept aside
Crystal Palace and
Brentford. Yet the draws against Bournemouth and Everton highlight defensive lapses that have crept in. Aston Villa arrive with momentum of their own. A 3-0 win over Freiburg in the
Europa League final capped a strong European run, and they dismantled Liverpool 4-2 just days earlier. Their league form has been bumpier though, with a loss to Tottenham and a draw at Burnley interrupting the wins.
The reverse fixture back in October saw Villa edge City 1-0. That result still stings for the home supporters. Now the visitors chase
Champions League qualification while City look to end the campaign on a high note in front of their own fans. Gvardiol has shown signs of discomfort after returning from injury and limped following the cup final. Khusanov carries a knock too. On the other side, Kamara and Alysson remain ruled out for Villa, and Onana faces a late fitness test.
Haaland will lead the line for City with his usual threat in the box. Watkins carries the main goal threat for Villa and has looked sharp in recent weeks. Both teams know a result here could shape their summer narratives. City should control large spells at home given their home record and Villa's congested schedule.
Recommended Bets
Man City -1.5 Asian Handicap @1.95 — City have posted three wins in their last five with two of them by three-goal margins, and Villa's defence looks stretched after their European final.
Over 2.5 Goals @1.75 — Five of City's last six matches and four of Villa's recent games have cleared this line, with both sides averaging over three goals per game lately.
Manchester City to Win @1.55 — Home advantage plus Villa's need to manage legs after the Europa League final points to a comfortable City victory on the final day.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
