Manchester City 3-2 Aston Villa summary: score, goals, highlights, Premier League

And there you have it

With 93 points in 38 games, Manchester City are Premier League champions for 2021/22.

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Manchester City win the 2021/22 Premier League

Manchester City are Premier League champions after coming from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Sunday. Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho gave Steven Gerrard’s Villa a two-goal lead at the Etihad as City failed to break down the away side.

Pep Guardiola was forced into making changes as his side looked for a way back. Substitute Ilkay Gundogan came on to grab a brace either side of a Rodri strike and in five minutes City had three goals and were on their way to the title.

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Man City lift another Premier League trophy

Opta - City have won their sixth Premier League title, with four of those coming in the last five seasons.

Manchester City are champions

Manchester City are Premier League champions for 2021/22 and they fully deserve it.

City have done their job. There's a pitch invasion at the Etihad. Guardiola runs down the tunnel as the City players are mobbed by fans on the pitch.

Manchester City have come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and claim another Premier League title!

AND THAT'S IT!

CITY ARE CHAMPIONS!

Man City are just holding onto possession in the Aston Villa corner.

City have a corner!

It looked like City had thrown it all away but they're now on the brink of another title...

Liverpool are now leading 3-1 against Wolves. 

Ederson is down, complaining about something. 

There's going to be four minutes of added time. 

Jesus takes the ball down to the corner flag...

It would be City's sixth Premier League title, their fifth under Guardiola.

Can Villa grab a third? Or will City become champions?

As things stand:

1 | Man City - 93 points

2 | Liverpool - 92 points

Liverpool have taken the lead at Anfield through Mo Salah.

Guardiola has made the correct changes. Zinchenko, Sterling and Gundogan have all been excellent since coming on for City.

From two goals down City have turned it around. When Coutinho scored, they were fearing the worst at the Etihad but sub Gundogan has scored a brace to put them ahead.

City on the brink

Man City are on the brink of winning their fourth league title in five years.

City have scored three goals in five minutes. Absolutely sensational.

De Bruyne sends in a low cross to the back post. Gundogan taps it in from close range to grab his brace.

CITY HAVE COMPLETED THE COMEBACK!

The smoke bombs are back on the pitch. Is the title going to the Etihad? That Rodri equaliser is massive.

City are level!

It's a lovely finish from Rodri, who places it from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner. 

Zinchenko with the cutback to set up the Spaniard.

City pull one back

City are right back in it.

City are back in the game!

Substitute Gundogan combines with substitute Sterling to give City hope with 15 minutes to go.

If Wolves can stay in the game at Anfield (currently 1-1), City will win the league on goal difference.

De Bruyne shoots over again. Sterling sets him up but the Belgian falls over and blasts over the bar. The City fans can't believe what they're witnessing and the City players are beginning to look rattled. This is a huge 20 minutes in their season.

Coutinho scores

Former Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho has doubled Villa's lead at the Etihad. 

Have City blown it?

Steven Gerrard and Villa have put this on a plate for Liverpool. The Reds needs a goal at Anfield to win the title!

It's a superb goal by Coutinho. Watkins heads the goalkick from Olsen onto Coutinho, who takes it down superbly before firing past Ederson from the edge of the box.

VILLA HAVE DOUBLED THEIR LEAD!

OFF Bernardo Silva

ON Gundogan

De Bruyne sends his free wide of the post and screams in anger as it sails wide.

Coutinho takes Rodri down on the edge of the box. City have a free and we know who is over it.

Man City started the second half the better off the sides. In the last 10 minutes though it has died down. Guardiola is looking anxious on the sideline. Chambers blocks from Jesus in the box. He has been super at the back.

Top of the table as it stands

City and Liverpool are both on 90 points. City have remained top due to their superior goal difference (+6).

Steven Gerrard has gone for the school uniform look this evening but his side have been working so hard to stay in the lead.

The City fans are very quiet now. They know that this could all come crashing down in the next 30 minutes. 

Raphinha has scored for Leeds. That is a massive goal at the bottom of the table. 

City and Liverpool are both on 90 points.

City are ahead on goal difference though. 

Villa are leading as we approach the hourmark.

A goal at Anfield for Liverpool would send the Merseysiders top as things stand.

City change

OFF Mahrez

ON Sterling

Olsen claims the City corner. 

Olsen sends the ball up the pitch but Watkins misses a great chance for Villa.

It was route one from Olsen but Laporte does enough to put him off. That could have been 0-2 to Villa.

You can expect City to generate plenty of chances over the next 40 minutes. Villa have defended well, especially Digne, who also assisted Cash for the goal. 

RODRI!

The Spaniard drives wide from the edge of the box. City have been relentless in the opening five minutes of the second half. 

Zinchenko gets a low cross into the box. He's looking for Mahrez, but Digne does really well to block the cross. It was well read by the Frenchman. 

Tyrone Mings receives a yellow card from Michael Oliver for a foul. 

De Bruyne shoots over from 12 yards. 

If you're only joining us, a Matty Cash goal has Villa in front at the Etihad. Despite being behind, City are still top of the league on goal difference. 

Liverpool are currently drawing 1-1 with Wolves at Anfield.

So City have taken Fernandinho off at the break. Today was his last appearance for the club. 

Aston Villa get us underway for the second half. 

City sub

OFF Fernandinho

ON Zinchenko

Manchester City are the first team out for the second half. 

City trail at the break

Matty Cash's first half header has Villa ahead at half-time. 

Aston Villa are beating Manchester City at the Etihad at half-time. As things stand, they will still be champions on goal difference over Liverpool.

And the whistle goes for half-time!

Mahrez's corner is headed down tamely by Laporte. It's an easy one for Olsen.

Chambers blocks Cancelo's shot from the edge of the box. City are looking to carve Villa open but the away side are not in a hurry. They want to take this lead into half-time.

There will be four minutes of added time.

City's corner from the right is cleared away. Cancelo drives towards the box. His eventual shot is blocked by Luiz. 

The mood has changed at the Etihad. City have all the quality in the world and you would expect them to conjure up something but the home fans did not expect the script to go like this. 

Ollie Watkins' shot for Villa is blocked. 

Man City 0-1 Aston Villa

Matty Cash has given Villa a surprise lead.

City have the better goal difference so remain on top, as things stand.

Digne sends in the cross from the left. Cash heads Villa in front. 

It's a super goal!

Spurs are beating Norwich 2-0 and will surely now secure Champions League football for 2022/23.

Mahrez sends in a cross from the right. Chambers heads it out for a corner. De Bruyne's cross is then cleared by Digne. 

Pep Guardiola wrote in his programme notes: "We have a job to do, and we must do it as a collective. We simply have to win. We don't have any alternative but to win."

After 30 minutes, City haven't looked their best or created any great chances to give themselves that chance of winning.

It remains 0-0 at the Etihad. 

The play has been stopped again. Olsen has been hit in the face from a City cross. City won't be pleased with another stoppage as they look to get going.

Mané levels for Liverpool

Sadio Mané has equalised for Liverpool at Anfield.

Newcastle have taken the lead against Burnley. Callum Wilson with the goal. Not a good start for the Clarets.

It's a super counter attack by City. Foden goes close to breaking the deadlock.

Mahrez takes the corner from the right. Olsen is out to claim it. 

Digne's cross is punched away by Ederson.

City go on the break. Jesus to Foden, Foden shoots! And it's just wide of the box.

Gerrard will be delighted with how his side have dealt with City so far. It remains 0-0 at the Etihad. Liverpool are losing to Wolves.

That Leeds goal has since been ruled out by VAR.

Leeds have scored against Brentford. That could be a huge goal as Burnley are currently drawing. 

Mahrez gets to the byline before crossing across the box. There is no-one there and Digne clears at the far post. 

Villa are doing ok and have pressed City well. City have yet to really test Olsen in the Villa goal. 

McGinn tries to head it back to Olsen and it's out for a City corner. Villa clear the corner and hit City on the break. Rodri sees the danger and deals with the attack. 0-0 

Lucas Digne is now back on his feet after getting a smack on the face from a Chambers cross.

Wolves lead at Anfield

Wolves are winning at Anfield. Pedro Neto has scored the opener.

Digne is down receiving treatment after getting a ball straight in the face from his team-mate Chambers.

Fernandinho clears a Villa cross as Coutinho waits for it in the box. 

Pedro Neto has given Wolves the lead, so as things stand, City are champions. There is of course a long way to go.

There has been a goal at Anfield!

Wolves have taken the lead!

Foden beats Cash with a brilliant spin. The ball goes out for a City throw-in.

Today is Fernandinho's final match for City. He'll leave the club after nine years of service.

Jack Grealish, who played and scored in the draw with West Ham last week, is on the bench today against his former side.

Watkins does well to break into the box, but Fernadinho comes across to use all his experience and nick the ball from the forward.

De Bruyne crosses from the left. Fernandinho's header goes up and over.

Chambers fouls Foden near the corner flag. City have an early free. 

Mahrez, Jesus and Foden have started in attack for City. An early goal is what they will be looking for, to kill those early nerves. 

Villa are in their dark navy away kit this evening. 

We're underway at the Etihad on the last day of the season. It's still all to play for at the top of the table!

City are playing from right to left in their sky blue kit. 

The teams make their way onto the pitch!

It's City vs Villa, Guardiola vs Gerrard.

Can the latter do his former club Liverpool a massive favour or will City have too much?

The players are in the tunnel ahead of kick-off at the Etihad!

Aston Villa XI vs Man City

Man City starting XI

Pre-match atmosphere in Manchester

The Manchester City team coach arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

Kick-off at the Etihad is just 15 minutes away!

City on the brink

Three points today will guarantee City another Premier League title.

Big day at the bottom

The fight for Premier League survival will be between Burnley (17th) and Leeds (18th), with both sides anxious to avoid the drop to the second tier of English football (The Championship).

The ‘Clarets’ will close the season at home against Newcastle (12th), one of the most in-form teams of the second half of the season as Leeds travel to West London to face Brentford, and are keen to avoid relegation just two years after their promotion under Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Both teams are level on points, but Burnley have a superior goal difference advantage (-18 to -38) that could prove decisive come Sunday evening.

Goal difference between City and Liverpool, as it stands

Goal difference as it stands:

Manchester City - For: 96 Against: 24 Goal difference: 72

Liverpool - For: 91 Against: 25 Goal difference: 66

Liverpool trail on goal difference by six, meaning if they draw against Wolves they would need the incredibly unlikely scenario of Manchester City losing by seven goals to be certain of winning the title. (In this situation, Liverpool, having drawn will remain on a goal difference of 66).

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What do Liverpool need to do to win the Premier League?

I'm bringing you the action from the Etihad Stadium but we can't forget the other side competing for the title this evening. 

Here is what Liverpool need to do to win the league today.

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Last day of the Premier League season

There's still plenty to play for on the final day of the Premier League season at both ends of the table. It's sure to be an interesting evening ahead.

Kevin de Bruyne named Premier League Player of the Year

Kevin De Bruyne was named the Premier League’s Player of the Season yesterday.

The Manchester City star has driven Pep Guardiola’s team to the verge of a fourth title in the space of five seasons with some sensational displays.

Despite having a rather stuttering start to the campaign after suffering an eye injury in last season’s Champions League final, and then sustaining another problem during Belgium’s Euro 2020 quarter-final defeat to Italy, the 30-year-old has gone on to score 15 goals in the Premier League so far in 2021-22. Remarkably, those goals have come from an expected goals (xG) value of just 5.8. He has also provided seven assists.

Aston Villa starting XI

Aston Villa will line out as follows at the Etihad.

Man City XI vs Villa

Pep Guardiola has named the following side for this evening's match.

SOCCER

How many times have Manchester City won the Premier League?

Continued success on the domestic front didn’t come until fairly recently for Manchester City. The club was founded in 1880 but their first league title, the old Division One, didn’t arrive until the 1936/7 season and they had to wait another 30 years for the second one.

After ending as runners-up in 1903 and 1921, City clinched their first league title in 1937, finishing three points ahead of Charlton Athletic. Wilf Wild’s team went from one extreme to the other, the defending champions dropped down a division the following season in spite of scoring 80 goals - more than the team who lifted the trophy, Arsenal.

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Team news on the way

We'll have team news for you from both camps as soon as it's in!

Manchester City - Aston Villa: times, TV and how to watch online

Manchester City head into the final round of Premier League fixtures for the 2021/22 season a point ahead of Liverpool and with the destination of the title firmly in their own hands.

Aston Villa are the visitors on Sunday and Steven Gerrard would undoubtedly love the opportunity to do his lifelong club a favour by beating City, but Liverpool also have to ensure they see off Wolves at Anfield to claim the title if Villa become just the third side to get the better of Pep Guardiola’s men this season. 

There are multiple scenarios in the case of a City or Liverpool draw or defeat, but the bottom line for Guardiola is win the game, and win the title for a fourth time in five seasons.

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Villa coming to cause an upset?

Aston Villa have had a mixed season under Steven Gerrard. The former Liverpool captain will be hoping to get into Europe next season, but his side have shown glimpses of what they can do this season, most recently in their home match against title-chasing Liverpool.

City ahead of Liverpool by a single point

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City were the favourites to lift this year’s Premier League title back in August.

Chelsea fell away and we have been left with arguably the two best sides in the world fighting it out in a two-horse race.

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2021/22 Premier League goes to the wire: How Man City or Liverpool can win the title

Liverpool may have a historic quadruple in their sights after winning both EFL and FA Cups and the ‘Reds’ face Real Madrid in the Paris Champions League final next Saturday but manager Jurgen Klopp insisted that pressure is not a factor as his side prepare to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day of the Premier League season.

Liverpool must beat Wolves at home on Sunday and hope leaders Manchester City falter against Aston Villa to secure the league title.

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Down to the wire

City are expected to get past Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa today and lift the title but perhaps the former Liverpool man has something up his sleeve for his old side.  

Premier League title decider

Manchester City will become Premier League champions if they beat Aston Villa at the Etihad this afternoon.

Liverpool, who are just one point behind City at the top of the table, face Wolves at Anfield at the same time. 

Manchester City vs Aston Villa: welcome!

Hello and welcome to AS USA's live coverage of this final Premier League fixture of the season between Manchester City vs Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.