Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa: Phil Foden hits stunning hat-trick in victory at Etihad Stadium

Phil Foden struck a stunning hat-trick as Manchester City continued to use stress to Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool with a commanding win over Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium.

In their absence, Foden produced a masterclass to take his tally to 21 targets this season. But it was Rodri who struck first for City after 11 minutes when he swept house Jeremy Doku’s cross at the close to publish.

Villa have been harmful on the break and drew stage 9 minutes later when Jhon Duran beat Stefan Ortega with a low end after a neat trade with Morgan Rogers.

It was then that Foden took cost, restoring City’s lead with a low 20-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time, though Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo performed his half by turning his again in the wall.

Foden prolonged City’s lead after 62 minutes when he fired low previous Villa’s deputy keeper Robin Olsen after good work by Rodri, then claimed his treble in type seven minutes later with a effective drive into the highest nook from the sting of the realm.

And City virtually had a fifth in second-half stoppage time when Sergio Gomez side-footed Josko Gvardiol’s cut-back in opposition to the skin of the publish.

The win leaves City stage on factors with Liverpool, who play Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday evening, and some extent behind Arsenal, who high the desk after beating Luton Town.

Brilliant Foden fills the hole

Phil Foden’s particular person show hit such heights that Manchester City supervisor Pep Guardiola by no means had any trigger to query or revise his determination to depart De Bruyne and Haaland to take a seat out a doubtlessly harmful conflict with Aston Villa.

Indeed, it ended up figuring out completely as City confirmed a lot of their very own fluency, whereas De Bruyne and Haaland have been capable of loosen up and relaxation drained legs after current exertions in readiness for Saturday’s lunchtime go to to Crystal Palace.

City have been subdued in opposition to Arsenal right here on Sunday, however Villa have been by no means capable of exert related management, primarily as a result of Foden was just too scorching for them to deal with.

This was a way more convincing City show, extra cohesive, and this was primarily because of Foden and his lethal combination of creation and leading edge that did a lot to trend this victory.

Foden’s hat-trick confirmed all aspects of his recreation, from the intelligent free-kick to place City again in entrance, then the composure to make it 3-1, earlier than the ultimate flourish of a strong strike previous a immobile Olsen into the highest nook.

He now has 21 targets this season and if anybody wanted additional proof that Foden is the whole package deal, this efficiency supplied it.

Villa’s evening of disappointment

Aston Villa and supervisor Unai Emery might have felt this was not going to be their evening when talisman and World Cup-winning goalkeeper Martinez was compelled to withdraw from the sport by way of sickness shortly earlier than kick-off, having been named in the beginning line-up.

This is to not denigrate his alternative Olsen, who had a faultless evening, however it’s merely an indication that the fates have been in opposition to Villa, who had already misplaced most important striker Ollie Watkins to damage alongside different key absentees.

Villa did give City some anxious moments, particularly when Duran scored a effective equaliser and when Douglas Luiz and Clement Lenglet compelled effective saves from City keeper Ortega in swift succession with the rating 2-1, however City have been practically all the time in management and the future of the factors was sealed as soon as Foden gave Guardiola’s facet a two-goal benefit.

Emery’s facet stay in fourth place – two factors forward of Tottenham who drew at West Ham United on Tuesday – so no main injury was achieved, however this was a drained efficiency from a depleted facet.