It was the moment a decade of dominance became visibly irreversible. Guardiola wiped his face on his white t-shirt, embraced Silva on the touchline, and tried to steady himself as his side continued to press for an equaliser that would not come.
The defeat mattered less than the occasion. Guardiola managed his 593rd and final game for Manchester City, overtaking Les McDowall's record as the longest-serving City manager in the club's history. He has won 20 trophies in ten years including six Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup and EFL Cup this season.
On the pitch after the final whistle, he addressed a crowd of 60,000 who serenaded him with chants of "10 more years" as flares and fireworks lit up the evening sky.
"Many memories — forget the titles, it's the memories," he said. "All the people here are extraordinary. Life is made of periods. We lived an incredible period. If I had energy I would stay here. A new person has to do this job. Our time was good."
He added: "I'm so nervous and terrified right now. I never could imagine the amount of love. It has been an incredible, tremendous honour to be your manager and to be here during these 10 years."
On the tears: "Bernardo was emotional today, before the game. If you want to cry then cry, if you want to laugh then laugh. Emotions — you have to express them. I don't cry, but when I see somebody else cry, then I cry."
Silva and defender John Stones were presented with framed shirts before the match. Both leave as free agents at the end of June. Silva, who made 460 appearances under Guardiola — more than any other player — addressed the crowd directly.
"I don't think I will ever feel the same love ever in my life. This will forever be my family and I'm really grateful."
Stones, composing himself, said: "I can't express the gratitude that I feel for the love that you've given me. It's been a dream come true."
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, whose side's victory was secured by two Ollie Watkins goals, paid his own tribute: "A huge honour for me to compete with Pep Guardiola. He is the best. I built my career a lot of time competing against him, especially in Spain."
Guardiola will become a Manchester City Football Group ambassador after stepping down. He has said he will not return to coaching "for a while."