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Phil Foden lit up in the absence of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, scoring three goals to help Manchester City defeat Aston Villa 4-1 on Wednesday.
The champions replied decisively to worries about their capacity to win the important games, closing the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to one point.
Prior to the visit of fourth-placed Villa to the Etihad, City had not beaten a top-five Premier League team in six attempts this season.
However, Pep Guardiola shown faith in his squad’s depth by leaving Haaland and De Bruyne on the bench for the whole 90 minutes as they prepare to defend three competitions.
“The timetable is awful, and we need to bring enthusiasm. “Everybody has to be involved,” Guardiola stated of his decision to leave out Haaland and De Bruyne.
Guardiola has lauded Foden as the best player in the English Premier League this season, and the 23-year-old followed up his manager’s statements by scoring 21 goals.
“Phil, when he plays in a central position, he has a sense of goal,” Guardiola said.
“He’s a really top class player — he has a natural talent, a gift.”
City lost 1-0 to Villa in December, but that was their last setback, as Guardiola’s team is currently unbeaten in 24 games.
Unai Emery also admitted that the gap between the two teams was evident.
“We did really well in a variety of situations (from house to City). “Today they demonstrated their power and deserved to win,” remarked the Villa manager.
Jeremy Doku made one of four changes to City’s lineup, and the Belgian rewarded his manager with his best performance in a City shirt in months.
Doku created the opening goal by skipping past Lucas Digne and sending a cross that Rodri stroked high past Villa’s stand-in goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
Phil Foden: Key Player of Manchester City against the visitors
Manchester City vs Aston Villa | Match Details
Emiliano Martinez, Villa’s usual number one, was only one of many important absences for the visitors.
Top scorer Ollie Watkins was injured, and captain John McGinn was suspended.
However, Jhon Duran demonstrated his ability as Watkins’ deputy by sweeping in a beautiful equaliser after exchanging one-twos with Morgan Rogers.
City recovered their lead just before halftime, calming the mounting tension in the Etihad Stadium fans, thanks to Foden’s first of the night.
His free kick went through a hole in the Villa wall caused by Nicolo Zaniolo jumping out of position, leaving Olsen unsighted.
Stefan Ortega, City’s number two goalkeeper, is getting a rare run in the team owing to Ederson’s thigh injury.
And the German had to make a crucial save after the break to prevent Villa from leveling for the second time through Douglas Luiz.
Foden secured the points as he swept in Rodri’s feed from the inside of the post.
And he finished his hat trick in style, shooting into the top corner from outside the box.
Liverpool have the opportunity to reclaim first place when they host Sheffield United on Thursday.
However, with the worst of their season behind them, City will be quietly confident of becoming the first team to win four successive English Premier League titles.
In their remaining eight games of the season, Guardiola’s side will play only one more encounter against a top-six opponent, away to Tottenham.
Villa are currently two points ahead of Spurs in the hunt for a top-four finish, despite having played one more game.
Phil Foden secured the points by sweeping in Rodri’s feed from the inside of the post.
