Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

After Sunday’s dull draw with Arsenal, manager Pep Guardiola benched important players Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne, but the defending champions still had too much for injury-plagued Villa, who also lost custodian Emiliano Martinez to sickness shortly before kickoff.

Foden scored a masterpiece in their absence to increase his season total to 21 goals. However, Rodri scored City’s opening goal after 11 minutes, finishing Jeremy Doku’s cross at the near post with a sweep.

After a clever exchange with Morgan Rogers, Jhon Duran beat Stefan Ortega with a low finish to tie the score nine minutes later. Villa looked threatening on the break.

At the end of the first half, Foden grabbed control and gave City the lead again with a low 20-yard free kick, but Nicolo Zaniolo of Villa had a part to play as well by turning his back on the goal.

After excellent work by Rodri, Foden doubled City’s lead after 62 minutes when he blasted low past Villa’s backup keeper Robin Olsen. Seven minutes later, Foden celebrated his treble in style with a superb drive into the top corner from the edge of the box.

In stoppage time in the second half, Sergio Gomez side-footed Josko Gvardiol’s cut-back against the outside of the post, giving City another chance to score.

With the victory, City is now one point behind leaders Arsenal, who defeated Luton Town to take the lead in the standings, and level on points with Liverpool, who host Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday.

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