John Stones is grateful to have lived out all his wildest dreams during his 10-year stay with Manchester City, which will come to an end after Sunday's meeting with Aston Villa.

Having joined City from Everton in a £50m deal back in 2016, as one of Pep Guardiola's first signings, Stones has played a key role in the club's most successful period. 

Stones has played a part in 17 of City's 20 trophy successes under Guardiola, including winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.

The 31-year-old defender has struggled with injuries in recent years, though, and will leave on a free transfer ahead of 2026-27, alongside fellow City stalwart Bernardo Silva. 

If reports are to be believed, City could also be saying goodbye to Guardiola, with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss rumoured to have made a decision on his future.

Stones' 179 Premier League appearances for City put him joint-17th in their all-time charts, though he will surpass Micah Richards outright if he plays against Villa. 

In a farewell interview with City's media channels, Stones said: "I honestly could never have dreamt of doing the things that I've done or to the magnitude of what we've done and how we've done it.

"If you'd said to me before I came here, 'you're going to do all these things', I wouldn't even have thought half would be possible. 

"It's been a rollercoaster. You can look at it like that, and everything has ups and downs and good things, bad things.

"But to live out all my dreams and all my goals and all the things that I set out to achieve as a player and live as a player... doing that has just been a dream.

"The memories that I've got with absolutely everyone, not just the players, the staff, the fans, the guys that we all see on a daily basis. It's not sunk in yet, but when I leave I think it will and it'll hit me."

Johnny, Johnny Stones  pic.twitter.com/3HSPMd9wA7

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 21, 2026

City have nothing to play for after Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth handed the title to Arsenal, while Villa are basking in Wednesday's 3-0 Europa League final win over Freiburg.

Unai Emery's team will finish either fourth or fifth in the table, and while they are already assured of Champions League qualification, their position could prove crucial for whichever of Bournemouth or Brighton finish sixth.

That is because if Villa finish fifth – which is only possible if they lose and Liverpool win at home to Brentford – the sixth-placed team will take the additional Champions League place granted to the Premier League.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Manchester City – Erling Haaland 

With 27 goals to his name heading into matchday 38, Haaland is likely to win his third Premier League Golden Boot in four seasons in the competition. 

He would be the fifth player to win the award that many times, after Thierry Henry, Mohamed Salah (both four), Alan Shearer and Harry Kane (both three).

Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins

Watkins has been involved in eight goals in his last nine Premier League appearances (six goals, two assists), just one fewer than in his first 29 this season (eight goals, one assist).

It really happened.  pic.twitter.com/V2IBdIKtQG

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 21, 2026

MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER CITY WIN

Even though City have nothing to play for, they are still heavily favoured by the Opta supercomputer, particularly with Villa still celebrating their Europa League win.

City have won 19 of their last 20 Premier League home games against Villa, winning each of the last 15 since a 2-0 loss in April 2007.

In addition, they have won their final league match in eight of their nine seasons under Guardiola, losing the other at Brentford in 2022-23. 

The Citizens have won their last six when finishing the season at home, since a 3-2 loss to Norwich City in 2012-13.

Villa, meanwhile, have lost their final Premier League match of the season more often than any other side (16), including a 3-2 loss at City in 2021-22.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester City – 71.4%

Aston Villa – 12.3%

Draw – 16.3%