Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City side have earned legend status after securing a fourth Premier League title in five years on Sunday in the most dramatic of fashions.
Leading second-placed Liverpool by one point heading into the final day of the season, City were in serious danger of relinquishing their crown when they trailed Aston Villa 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium with less than 15 minutes remaining.
Substitute Ilkay Gundogan sparked the comeback by heading home Raheem Sterling's cross, before Rodri levelled with a controlled finish two minutes later. Gundogan struck again with nine minutes left when he tapped home Kevin De Bruyne's low cross to complete a stunning fightback and ensure the trophy will remain in Manchester.
Reflecting on his side's remarkable victory, City manager Guardiola said: "The last game is always special, a lot of emotion. Aston Villa gave everything but the first goal changed everything.
"We are legends. When you win the Premier League in this country four times in five seasons it is because these guys are so, so special. We will be remembered."
While City celebrate as champions, it was another riveting title battle between two clubs that have separated themselves from the competition. Liverpool may have fallen short in their pursuit of the Premier League, but the Reds still won both domestic trophies and will go for the treble when they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday.
"The magnitude of the achievement is related to magnitude of our rival and I have never seen a team like Liverpool in my life," Guardiola said. "Congratulations to Liverpool - they have made us better and better each week."
Man City v Aston Villa player ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson – 6. The goalkeeper was let down by his defenders as Cash stole in to rob him of his 21st clean sheet of the season. He made some brilliant saves throughout, and was good with his feet. Getty -
John Stones – 6. The defender made his return at right-back. He seemed to be lacking in confidence, but made some crucial interceptions to deny Watkins. Looked better in the middle. AFP -
Fernandinho – 5. In his final game for City the Brazilian had a shaky first half and was subbed. He made some brilliant tackles in the box, but was also guilty of struggling to keep pace with Watkins. AFP -
Aymeric Laporte – 6. The France international was below par in the first half, his highlight a header at the other end which Olsen smothered. Got better as the game went on, and made a key tackle to deny Watkins. AFP -
Joao Cancelo – 5. The Portuguese full-back was far from his usual best. At fault for Cash’s goal. AFP -
Rodri – 6. The Spanish midfielder showed off his great transitional skills from defence to attack, and he was a constant threat in and around the Villa box. While his passing was unusually wayward, he bagged the equaliser from the edge of the box. EPA -
Kevin De Bruyne – 6. Dangerous from set pieces, and led a number of counter-attacking breakaways, but not at his swashbuckling best. His key contribution was finding Gundogan at the back post for City’s third. Getty -
Bernardo Silva – 6. Making his 35th appearance of the season, Silva dropped deeper than usual and was City’s defensive playmaker. His passing was solid throughout. AFP -
Riyad Mahrez – 7. The Algerian displayed some brilliant footwork inside the box, but was largely ineffective. EPA -
Gabriel Jesus – 7. The Brazilian gave his all. His pressing ability was superb, and he forced an error from Olsen as he blocked one of his distributing passes. Getty -
Phil Foden – 6. Started well with some darting runs along the left. Along with Cancelo, he managed to create some brilliant space along the left, which was the focus of most of City attacks. Getty -
SUBS: Oleksander Zinchenko (Fernandinho, 46) – 8. The substitute left-back made an instant impact as he burst along the left-hand side multiple times trying to create chances. He displayed some quality footwork before setting up Rodri’s stunning goal. Getty -
Ilkay Gundogan (Silva, 68) – 9. The German helped his side get back into the game after he got on the end of a Raheem Sterling cross at the back post. He then scored another at the back post to make sure of the title, and send the Etihad into raptures. Getty -
Raheem Sterling (Mahrez, 56) – 7. Coming on to replace Mahrez, the forward made several darting runs forward, and he assisted a Gundogan goal after a brilliant cross to the back post. AFP -
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Robin Olsen – 6. Replacing the injured Martinez, the debutant goalkeeper made a sketchy start, with a number of passes putting his defence under pressure. Could do little about the goals. PA -
Matty Cash – 8. The Poland international was the star for Villa after he headed in a Lucas Digne cross at the back post. He also made a number of forceful and pacy runs along the right. Getty -
Calum Chambers – 5. The defender made a few key interceptions, especially from City crosses, including one to deny a Jesus header at the back post. He crumbled in the second half, though. Action Images -
Tyrone Mings – 5. The captain made a few good blocks but seemed all at sea, particularly in the second half capitulation. AFP -
Lucas Digne – 7. Provided the cross for Cash to head into the City net after a darting break along the left. Made some excellent forward runs throughout. AFP -
John McGinn – 6. The midfielder seemed off his usual game. He created some brilliant crosses in the final third, but was poor defensively. AP -
Douglas Luiz – 6. Like Mings, there wasn’t much the midfielder could do as his side had to defend attack after attack. He made several successful tackles to start counter attacks. Battled well against De Bruyne. PA -
Jacob Ramsey – 7. Showed some great pressing and energy in the middle. Needed to make some better passing decisions, but performed well. AFP -
Emi Buendia – 6. The former Norwich winger spread the play well, but made little impact PA -
Ollie Watkins – 7. The striker was Villa’s energetic attacking output, often leading counter attacks by himself. He got the better of Fernandinho before the centre-back was taken off. EPA -
Phillipe Coutinho – 8. Villa’s new permanent signing put in a real shift as he grabbed a counter attacking goal and showed some good strength against De Bruyne on the left-hand side. EPA -
SUBS: Marvellous Nakamba (Coutinho, 72) – N/A. After replacing Coutinho late in the second half, he made a strong commanding header to keep the pressure on City. However, his side slumped back and let City back into the game. EPA -
Danny Ings (Ramsey, 83) N/A. Couldn’t find the goal to help his former club. Reuters -
Ashley Young (Buendia, 88) N/A. The former Manchester United man replaced Buendia late on and couldn’t influence the game. AFP
As Guardiola receives his 10th league winners' medal as a manager - having won three at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich - Jack Grealish is savouring his first.
Grealish became the most expensive British player in history when he joined City for £100 million ($124.9m) from Aston Villa last summer, and while the England midfielder admitted his first season at City has had its challenges, he believes the league title will help him "kick on" next season and beyond.
"It means everything - when I signed here people were saying to me 'what do you actually want - to win the Champions League or the Premier League?' and for me it was always the Premier League. I've never won it before and I'm so happy," Grealish, 26, said.
"[My first year at City was] harder than I thought. I've enjoyed every minute, I've stepped out of my comfort zone to come here - new changing room, new surroundings, new teammates, it's been difficult, but this today just makes up for all of it.
"I know that I can kick on and I certainly will - I feel like I've played my part in games, the goal last week at West Ham which obviously meant a lot. I can kick on so much more, I know in myself how much of a role I have to play in this football club and I will."
