Man City vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Phil Foden hat-trick continues title chase
City and Villa look to keep the pressure on at the top of the table as they clash at the Etihad Stadium
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Phil Foden’s sublime hat-trick fired Manchester City to victory against Aston Villa to keep up their pursuit of Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Mikel Areta’s side went top earlier on Wednesday evening with a win over Luton but the defending champions ensured they remained in touch with a strong 4-1 victory.
While it was a controlled collective performance, they had Foden to thank for a commanding victory. After Jhon Duran had responded to Rodri’s early opener, the England international curled home a free kick to nudge Manchester City in front just before the interval.
Foden then swept home from the edge of the box before producing a magnificent strike from distance to complete his hat-trick and secure all three points. It meant Pep Guardiola could leave Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne on the bench, with the two stars rested in a hectic fortnight of football.
Unai Emery’s visitors were without an injured Ollie Watkins and suspended John McGinn, and struggled to produce consistent threat. Aston Villa remain fourth, two points ahead of Tottenham, who have a game in hand.
Re-live all the action below, plus get the latest Premier League odds and tips right here:
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 44 minutes
Ezri Konsa hits the deck after a barge in the back from Bernardo Silva, denying Jack Grealish a chance to snare the loose ball.
That’s a foul, too - and it’s Douglas Luiz, who has already been booked. No second card is forthcoming. He was the wrong side of Phil Foden and rather took his legs away - if he hadn’t already beeen shown yellow...
Another shooting chance from 25 yards.
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 41 minutes
The tricky feet of Manchester City’s attacking schemers are causing Aston Villa problems, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez all intricate and accurate in their interchanges. Alvarez blazes over the top at the end of the latest allegro adventure.
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 40 minutes
Too much oomph. Over the crossbar from the Argentine.
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 38 minutes
Douglas Luiz is the second player into the book, a tug on the shirt of Jack Grealish as he jinks away from the retreating midfielder.
A good position, this - 25 yards out at most, just outside Robin Olsen’s right-hand post. Julian Alvarez, you’d think...
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 37 minutes
Smart save! Robin Olsen thrusts out a foot to deny Julian Alvarez after the striker had latched on to a neat passing move.
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 34 minutes
Jhon Duran shows the other side of his game, working hard to get a foot in 25 yards from his own goal with Manchester City bubbling nicely. But that reserved position means that when Aston Villa attempt to break, springing a counter isn’t necessarily straightforward, Duran not helped by an underpowered ball to him as he tries to hit his stride moving forward.
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 32 minutes
A booking for Jack Grealish, furious with the referee when a foul is given against him with Manchester City launching an offensive.
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 30 minutes
Diego Carlos sets Moussa Diaby free with a raking pass off his right boot that lands gently at the winger’s feet, but Manchester City regather their defensive shape and prevent him making progress up the touchline. But there might be value in that sort of long diagonal throughout with Manchester City’s wide defenders pushing up.
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 28 minutes
The home crowd behind the Aston Villa goal roar for handball after Nicolo Zaniolo squeezes the ball back to his goalkeeper, but it’s squarely off the chest of the Italian, using his frame well to prevent Jeremy Doku from attacking the cross.
Manchester City 1-1 Aston Villa, 24 minutes
Volleyed wide! Good technique from Jack Grealish, firing down onto the ball and sending it bounding towards the corner. A yard or so away from the post, perhaps helped by a touch from Robin Olsen which goes unspotted by the officials.
Here is Jhon Duran’s leveller:
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