Manchester City have opened the post-Pep Guardiola era with a dramatic 2–1 victory over Bournemouth, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Josko Gvardiol.

City looked destined to drop points after Marcus Tavernier punished a defensive error to put Bournemouth ahead in the 26th minute. But Maresca’s side refused to surrender.

Marc Guehi restored parity in the 84th minute, rising highest from a corner before Gvardiol completed the turnaround in the 91st minute.

The Croatian defender initially thought his winner had been ruled out for offside. VAR, however, overturned the decision, sending the Etihad into celebration.

For Maresca, it was the perfect introduction to life after Guardiola: three points, late drama and a team showing character when victory looked to be slipping away.

Meanwhile, Brighton produced one of the weekend’s biggest statements by destroying Aston Villa 4–0.

Villa’s nightmare began in the eighth minute when Pau Torres’ loose pass created the opening for Maxim De Cuyper, whose effort deflected in off Victor Lindelof.

De Cuyper then scored again before Jack Hinshelwood struck twice in a devastating two-minute spell.

Villa’s afternoon went from disastrous to catastrophic when João Gomes was sent off for violent conduct in the 40th minute.

With Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa among the key players who have departed during the transfer window, Villa’s performance raises serious questions about whether their squad has been weakened too severely.

Two matches. Two very different messages.

Manchester City have shown they may still possess the mentality to win ugly.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have already been handed a massive warning that rebuilding a squad comes with consequences.

The post-Guardiola Premier League era has officially begun — and it certainly didn’t begin quietly.