MANCHESTER, England, May 24 (Reuters) - Tearful Manchester City fans serenaded Pep Guardiola with chants of "We've got Guardiola!" as the Etihad Stadium turned into a tribute on Sunday to the man who transformed both the club and English football over his glittering decade as boss.
City's result in their season finale, a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, quickly faded into the background.
Supporters lingered long after the game for a celebratory send-off, with players and staff lining up for a guard of honour wearing shirts bearing Guardiola's name.
Despite a thrilling late-season run that had City nipping at Arsenal's heels plus two trophies -- the FA Cup and League Cup -- Guardiola said he had realised he did not have the energy for another season.
The afternoon was also an emotional goodbye to City captain Bernardo Silva and defender John Stones. Silva was in tears before the game even kicked off, as he led his team onto the pitch cradling his young daughter Carlota in his arms.
Silva and Stones were given guards of honour by both teams in the second half of their final appearances for City. Guardiola hugged both, and wiped away tears with his T-shirt.
There was little riding on the outcome of both clubs' final game of the Premier League season, with City already assured of second, seven points behind champions Arsenal.
Villa, who came fourth on 65 points, had already secured Champions League qualification and arrived buoyed by their Europa League triumph on Wednesday.
TROPHY-LADEN PERIOD
Ollie Watkins struck twice as Villa played spoilers, but the loss could not overshadow the tributes to beloved City boss Guardiola, whose success raised standards across the Premier League.
His 593 games in charge transformed the club's trajectory and brought 20 trophies including six Premier League titles - including an historic four in a row - and the Champions League.
In Sunday's game, Antoine Semenyo put City on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute but Watkins, who was named on Friday to Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup, struck in both the 46th and 61st minutes.
Phil Foden celebrated what he thought was a late equaliser but it was chalked off for offside.
Villa fans did their part in the farewell, cheekily chanting "You're getting sacked in the morning!" at Guardiola, which drew laughter from the Etihad crowd.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
