Premier League – Watkins scores twice as Manchester City lose 1-2 to Aston Villa

The final round of the 2025/26 Premier League season saw another crucial match. Manchester City, playing at the Etihad Stadium, took the lead thanks to a goal from Semenho, but Watkins twice breached their goal in the second half, ultimately losing 1-2 to Europa League champions Aston Villa.

It's worth noting that this was manager Pep Guardiola's last match leading Manchester City, and Bernardo Silva and John Stones' last time wearing the Manchester City jersey.

Five minutes into the match, Manchester City's corner kick was cleared, and Savio received the ball and fired a shot, but it went wide. In the 10th minute, Savio dribbled into the penalty area and passed the ball across, where Reindes took a low shot, but the ball hit the side netting.

In the 12th minute, Savio played a long pass, and Bernardo Silva received the ball and attempted a shot against the defense, but it was saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot. In the 21st minute, Manchester City took a free kick, and Reindes received the ball and fired a long-range shot, but it went wide of the goal.

In the 23rd minute, Reindes' corner kick was cleared, and Semenio volleyed it into the net, giving Manchester City a 1-0 lead. In the 34th minute, Reindes received a free kick from Semenio outside the penalty area and took a long-range shot, but the ball went over the goal.

In the 43rd minute, Foden broke free of his defender and passed the ball diagonally. Reindes followed up with a shot, but it was saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

In the 47th minute of the second half, Aston Villa launched a counter-attack from a corner kick, and Watkins fired a shot into the net amidst the scramble, leveling the score at 1-1. In the 50th minute, Matty Cash passed the ball to Leon Bailey, who received it, dribbled past the defender, and curled a shot wide.

In the 53rd minute, Aston Villa won a free kick, but Buendia's shot went over the bar. In the 61st minute, Ross Barkley played a long pass to Watkins, who broke into the penalty area and slotted home to give Aston Villa a 2-1 lead over Manchester City.

In the 76th minute, Leon Bailey received a pass from Buendia in the penalty area and shot, but the ball hit the post. In the 78th minute, Manchester City substituted Givadiol for Stones. In the 86th minute, Diaz created an attacking opportunity, and Doku received the ball and took a long-range shot, but it went wide.

In the 88th minute, Ian Mattson passed the ball across the box, and McGinn received it at the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a long-range shot, which was saved by Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford. In the 90th minute, Kovacic played a through ball to Foden, who fired a powerful shot into the net, but after VAR intervention, it was ruled offside, and the goal was disallowed.

Ultimately, Manchester City lost 1-2 to Aston Villa in this match, finishing the season in second place.

Image source: Internet