Man City 4-1 Aston Villa: Fantastic Foden nets hat trick to secure big win

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

Manager Pep Guardiola left key men Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne on the bench after Sunday's drab draw with Arsenal, but the reigning champions still had too much for injury-hit Villa, who also lost goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to illness just before kick-off.

In their absence, Foden produced a masterclass to take his tally to 21 goals this season. But it was Rodri who struck first for City after 11 minutes when he swept home Jeremy Doku's cross at the near post.

Villa were dangerous on the break and drew level nine minutes later when Jhon Duran beat Stefan Ortega with a low finish after a neat exchange with Morgan Rogers.

It was then that Foden took charge, restoring City's lead with a low 20-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time, although Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo played his part by turning his back in the wall.

Foden extended City's lead after 62 minutes when he fired low past Villa's deputy keeper Robin Olsen after good work by Rodri, then claimed his treble in style seven minutes later with a fine drive into the top corner from the edge of the area.

The win leaves City level on points with Liverpool, who play Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday night, and a point behind Arsenal, who top the table after beating Luton Town.

Match Events

11' GOAL! Man City 1-0 Aston Villa (Rodri)

11' CLOSE! Rodri’s shot saved by Goalkeeper!

20' GOAL! Man City 1-1 Aston Villa (Jhon Durán)

38' Yellow Card! Douglas Luiz booked

40' Álvarez’s long range free kick inches wide!

46' GOAL! Man City 2-1 Aston Villa (Foden)

57' SAVE! Fine stop from world-class Ortega

62' GOAL! Man City 3-1 Aston Villa (Foden)

69' GOAL! Man City 4-1 Aston Villa (Foden)

Line-ups

Man City XI: Stefan Ortega, Grealish, Ruben Dias, Bernardo, Akanji, Rodri, Foden, Julián Álvarez, Jérémy Doku, Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis

Subs: Carson, De Bruyne, Kovacic, Stones, Haaland, Sergio Gómez, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Mahamadou Susoho

Aston Villa XI: R. Olsen, Digne, Lenglet, Carlos, Ngoyo, Douglas Luiz, Zaniolo, Diaby, Morgan Rogers, Jhon Durán, Tim Iroegbunam

Subs: Álex Moreno, Chambers, Tielemans, Bailey, P. Torres, Joe Gauci, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Omari Kellyman