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Manchester City against Aston Villa. The Phil Foden show dominated the match as the midfielder sealed his second hat trick of the season.
Aston Villa had their moments, but Foden’s class was irresistible throughout.
It was City’s best display of the season as a whole, according to their midfielder Rodri, but it also felt as though there was a lot more to come from the defending champions.
Just one point separates the top three but second-placed Liverpool have a game in hand – against Sheffield United on Thursday night.
That, along with Chelsea against Manchester United,
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his side are third favourites for the Premier League behind Arsenal and Liverpool.
“They have more points than us, so they are favourites,” he told TNT Sports.
“We have to win our games, but qualification for the Champions League is as important for the clubs as winning the Premier League.
“We conceded a little bit more than usual in transitions, but they were better than us a month ago in Villa Park, and now we are better.
“We were better in the box than against Arsenal, with more people and that’s why we created more chances.”
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery concedes Manchester City were superior.
“We had one more opportunity to level the match [at 2-1], but when they scored the third goal, it was more difficult,” he told TNT Sports.
“They showed their power and the difference between them and Liverpool and Arsenal.
“They deserved to win. They are better than us now, and they showed it. They are going to fight for the Premier League.
“Our focus is now on Brentford at home on Saturday.”
Phil Foden gives his reaction to being named Player of the Match
“I’m just loving my football at the moment and playing with a smile on my face,” Foden told TNT Sports.
“I’m just happy to help the team. I set myself the target of more goals and assists, and I think I’m up this season already.
“I prefer playing in the middle and the manager spoke about rhythm and slowing the game down.
“He said I would grow into that position, because before I was going too fast.”
Foden the hero as the Villans struggle
The gap between third in the Premier League, where the defending champions Manchester City started the game, and Aston Villa in fourth, is huge.
The home side started like a team on a mission following the goalless draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
Rodri’s 11th-minute strike set the tone, despite the blip that was Jhon Duran’s equaliser.
Aston Villa will look long and hard at how their wall allowed Phil Foden’s first, and City’s second, to sail comfortably through it to leave the keeper no chance at the near post.
Foden’s hat trick was completed by a move, and finish, of efficiency and then a ruthless strike to seal the game.
Villa can forget this and move on quickly. City’s title rivals would be well advised to sit up and take note.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri was full of praise for his teammates after a resounding win.
“We played amazing from the first minute, but we kept our foot on the game,” he told TNT Sports.
“In general it was one of the best games of the season.
“We knew we had to have more games in the box than in the game against Arsenal.
“It was the message from the beginning of the game.
“This young lad [Phil Foden] is now a more mature player, and he can score from wherever he wants in the box.”
Full-time: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa
The referee puts Villa out of their misery.
