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

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

Of their absence, Foden produced a masterclass to take his tally to 21 objectives this season. However it was Rodri who struck first for Metropolis after 11 minutes when he swept house Jeremy Doku’s cross on the close to publish.

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

It was then that Foden took cost, restoring Metropolis’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 within the wall.

Foden prolonged Metropolis’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 fashion seven minutes later with a positive drive into the highest nook from the sting of the realm.

And Metropolis 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 Metropolis degree on factors with Liverpool, who play Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday night time, and a degree behind Arsenal, who prime the desk after beating Luton City.

Sensible Foden fills the hole

Phil Foden’s particular person show hit such heights that Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola by no means had any trigger to query or revise his choice to go away De Bruyne and Haaland to sit down out a probably harmful conflict with Aston Villa.

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

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

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

Foden’s hat-trick confirmed all sides of his recreation, from the intelligent free-kick to place Metropolis 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 objectives this season and if anybody wanted additional proof that Foden is the whole bundle, this efficiency offered it.

Villa’s night time of disappointment

Aston Villa and supervisor Unai Emery could have felt this was not going to be their night time 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 within the beginning line-up.

This isn’t to denigrate his substitute Olsen, who had a faultless night time, however it’s merely an indication that the fates have been in opposition to Villa, who have been with out their suspended captain John McGinn and had already misplaced fundamental striker Ollie Watkins to damage alongside different key absentees.

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

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

Participant of the match

FodenPhil Foden

Aston Villa

Squad quantity24Participant titleDurán

Squad quantity27Participant titleRogers

Squad quantity19Participant titleDiaby

Squad quantity6Participant titleDouglas Luiz

Squad quantity4Participant titleKonsa

Squad quantity12Participant titleDigne

Squad quantity25Participant titleOlsen

Squad quantity3Participant titleDiego Carlos

Squad quantity17Participant titleLenglet

Squad quantity47Participant titleIroegbunam

Squad quantity22Participant titleZaniolo

Squad quantity71Participant titleKellyman

Squad quantity31Participant titleBailey

Squad quantity8Participant titleTielemans

Squad quantity15Participant titleÁlex Moreno

Squad quantity16Participant titleChambers