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The best photos from Black Sabbath's farewell

Shyamantha Asokan
BBC News, West Midlands
Ross Halfin A man sits on a black throne with a bat motif at the top. He has shoulder-length brown hair and he is wearing black. There is a microphone in front of him.Ross Halfin
AFP via Getty Images A man with a guitar and long hair plays on a stage, in front of a large crowd.AFP via Getty Images
Ozzy Osbourne, 76, performed his farewell show on a black throne.
The farewell show's all-star line-up included the US rock band Anthrax, with guitarist Frank Bello rocking out here.

It was the heavy metal gig to, for many fans, end all heavy metal gigs as Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath bade farewell to live performing supported by a host of legendary music acts in front of 40,000 fans.

The group, formed in Birmingham in 1968, rocked out Villa Park in a homecoming gig that had created a huge buzz in the city in recent weeks.

They were joined by acts including Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Slayer with guest appearances from the likes of Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler and Jack Black.

Fans travelled from across the world and sported their own rockstar outfits for the farewell - with everything from tattoos to socks bearing Osbourne's name or image.

Ross Halfin A man stands behind a drumkit on a stage and holds his arms up to a large crowd. He is wearing all black and a black baseball cap that is on backwards.Ross Halfin
US heavy metal band Metallica also played at the show
Getty Images A beach-ball bounces over the head of crowds of concert-goers at the gigGetty Images
Thousands of fans packed Villa Park for the legendary concert

The legendary frontman, 76, who has Parkinson's disease, sang while seated on a black throne.

"I don't know what to say, man, I've been laid up for like six years...thank you from the bottom of my heart," he told the crowd.

"You are the best, each and every one of you."

A huge sea of people are seen in the stadium, lit up by red lights from the stage
Tickets for the concert sold out well in advance

Famous musicians and celebrities sent in video messages that were played at the show, alongside messages from fans.

"You are one of the most remarkable singers of our time," Sir Elton John told Osbourne in his message.

"You've been through so much crap in the last few years - I hope this is the best day of your life so far."

Red and yellow fireworks light up the stadium.
Fireworks lit up the stadium as Black Sabbath bade farewell to their fans

On Sunday, fans were still milling around the city, taking in the Ozzy and Sabbath shrines - including the mural which the band hand-signed on Navigation Street.

"I've never seen Ozzy before, it was my first time and obviously the last time, but I couldn't wish of wished for anything better," said Daisy Clemson from Blackburn.

"It's been great just seeing all the metal fans, all the t-shirts, the sense of community - it's been fantastic.. everybody we've spoken to has been lovely."

Bill Fernandes, from Atlanta, Georgia, said it was "the best show ever".

"I've gone to a lot of shows over the years, and this one was special.

"It was something else, it was a religious experience."

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