Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa – Phil Foden scores stunning hat-trick as City keep pace with big win over Villa

Phil Foden capped a scintillating display with a hat-trick as Manchester City moved to within a point of the Premier League summit courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium.

The reigning champions got off to the perfect start when Rodri hammered home Jeremy Doku’s cross on 11 minutes.

However, a depleted Villa – who were missing key stars in Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez and John McGinn – pulled level nine minutes later when Jhon Duran polished off a slick one-two with Morgan Rogers.

The visitors looked to be heading in level at the interval but fell behind again in first-half stoppage time when a wall collapsed to allow Foden’s free kick to easily beat Robin Olsen.

Foden put the result beyond doubt just past the hour with a crisp, first-time strike in off the post that took his tally for the season to 20 in all competitions.

The 23-year-old then secured his treble and the match ball with a long-range rocket that flew into the top corner 20 minutes from time.

The result means City stay third but they are now just a point adrift of new leaders Arsenal, who beat Luton Town. Pep Guardiola’s champions are behind second-placed Liverpool on goal difference, but the Merseyside club can return to the top of the table if they beat Sheffield United on Thursday night.

Villa stay fourth but fifth-placed Tottenham could move above them if they win their game in hand.

Next up, City travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime while Villa host Brentford later that afternoon.

Guardiola raised a few eyebrows when he benched both Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland for a clash with a team currently occupying a spot in the top four and who had outplayed them when they met at Villa Park back in December.

However, with three Premier League matches in one week and a crunch UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie followed by an FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea to come in April, it was a case of now or never if he wanted to give his big guns some minutes off.

In the end, it didn’t affect the outcome as Foden – as he has so often done this season – took centre stage to drag the Citizens back on track in their pursuit of a fourth straight title.

Indeed, both City and Arsenal cranked up the heat on Liverpool, who now need to respond at home to struggling Sheffield United. It may well be a case of as you were in the title race when this round of fixtures closes, but City have the chance to apply some more heat at the weekend as their trip to Crystal Palace comes before what looks like far trickier encounters on paper for both Arsenal (Brighton away) and Liverpool (Man United away).

Any slip could be critical but at present the race looks like going to the wire with City – and Foden – very much primed for the chase with the outcome still too close to call.

Phil Foden (Man City). Who else? The youngster has emerged as City’s main man this season and his virtuoso showing meant Guardiola had the luxury of leaving both Haaland and De Bruyne on the bench. The City star is sure to be amongst the red-hot favourites for the individual gongs come the end of the campaign.

MAN CITY: Ortega 7, Lewis 7, Ruben Dias 7, Akanji 7, Gvardiol 7, Rodri 9, Bernado Silva 7, Doku 8, Foden 10, Grealish 7, Alvarez 7. Subs: Kovacic 6, Nunes 6, Gomez n/a, Bobb n/a.

ASTON VILLA: Olsen 8, Konsa 6, Diego Carlos 6, Lenglet 7, Digne 6, Zaniolo 5, Iroegbunam 6, Douglas Luiz 6, Rogers 6, Diaby 6, Duran 6. Subs: Tielemans 6, Moreno 5, Chambers 5, Bailey 6, Kellyman 5.

11’ – GOAL! – Man City 1-0 Aston Villa: (Rodri). The hosts secure the early breakthrough as Rodri arrives on cue to meet Doku’s low cross with a thumping first-time shot.

20’ – GOAL! – Man City 1-1 Aston Villa: (Duran). The visitors pull level as Duran plays a delightful one-two with Rogers and guides a fine low shot into the far corner from the left side of the box.

45+1’ – GOAL! – Man City 2-1 Aston Villa: (Foden). The champions regain the lead as Foden fires a 22-yard free kick through the wall and into the corner. Olsen had no chance as his wall evaporated in front of him.

62’ – GOAL! – Man City 3-1 Aston Villa: (Foden). It’s Foden at the double as he guides a shot from the edge of the box in off the post following lovely foot work from Rodri.

70’ – GOAL! – Man City 4-1 Aston Villa: (Foden). It’s the hat-trick! Foden wins the ball back deep in Villa territory and sizzles a 20-yard effort into the top corner.