"I'd be fuming" - Wayne Rooney 'sad' after what happened twice in Man City defeat to Aston Villa

Wayne Rooney was not happy with the decision to grant Manchester City stars Bernardo Silva and John Stones Guards of Honour during their final day defeat to Aston Villa.

It was a day of farewells at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as the Blues said goodbye to club greats Bernardo and Stones as well as legendary manager Pep Guardiola.

With little at stake in the match, Guardiola named an experimental side for his final game in charge, which included both Bernardo and Stones in the starting line up. Antoine Semenyo gave his side a first-half lead before an Ollie Watkins brace after the break capped an incredible season for Unai Emery's team.

City made all of their changes from the bench, with club captain Bernardo withdrawn from the action just before the hour mark. With the scores level, both sets of players formed a Guard of Honour for the Portugal international, who was moved to tears by the gesture.

Watkins scored shortly after the substitution to secure the win for the away side, before the scene was replicated twenty minutes later when Stones departed the pitch. Both sets of players once again formed a Guard of Honour, which some felt devalued the Premier League clash, when there was still an extra Champions League position up for grabs.

If Villa had lost at City and Liverpool had defeated Brentford on the final day, then sixth-place would have been granted a Champions League place. However, any hope of a City comeback always felt unlikely as a heavily rotated side went through the gears on a day that was more about paying respect to their icons.

Emery's side seemed happy to facilitate the farewells, though former Manchester United striker Rooney was not happy with what he saw. "It's incredible," he told BBC Match of the Day.

"I've seen a few things this season, and it just makes me sad that some of these things are happening in football. Bernardo Silva and John Stones have been incredible for Manchester City and they deserve it, but do it after the game.

"If I was in that Aston Villa team, I'd be fuming."

When asked for his take on the situation, former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer added: "I was surprised that Villa agreed to doing it, particularly with so long left. I mean, with half an hour, just over half an hour to go with one of the substitutions, so yeah, I'm in Wayne's camp. I'm not a great fan of that while the game is going on."