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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Your support makes all the difference.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 0-0 Aston Villa, 2 minutes
Douglas Luiz’s corner is flicked on at the front, but the second head it hits is a Manchester City one. Lines cleared.
First chance! Julian Alvarez ruffles the side netting, latching on to a clever dink from Jack Grealish peeling in from the left and volleying goalwards. Alvarez might have been just offside but couldn’t find the right side of the post regardless.
Manchester City 0-0 Aston Villa, 1 minute
An early fright for Aston Villa as Diego Carlos is forced into some hasty defensive work with four blue shirts pressing hard, but efficent transfers up the field allow the visitors to earn the game’s firsd tcorner. Up the big blokes come - can they test Stefan Ortega?
KICK OFF!
Darren England peeps his whistle - we are underway at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
The last strands of daylight have just disappeared from the Manchester sky as the two sides ready themselves for action. Third faces fourth in the Premier League - their ultimate aims this season may be different but this is a huge game for both sides.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
Speaking to TNT Sports pre-match, Pep Guardiola suggests that Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are left out for reasons of rest of rotation, with a short turnaround to a lunchtime encounter with Crystal Palace on Saturday. He urges his team to focus on today and forget about the defeat to Aston Villa earlier in the season.
“I prefer to be the hunted,” he emphasises when it is put to him that he might enjoy chasing Liverpool and Arsenal down from behind. Point made.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
And almost immediately, Arsenal are in front, inevitably.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
No goals as of yet in tonight’s other fixtures, with Luton holding Arsenal at bay and Brentford and Brighton similarly scoreless. An Arsenal slip-up would leave the door open for Manchester City to take top spot - though they’d need to score five at least to overhaul Liverpool’s goal difference advantage. We’ll cross that bridge if we get there...
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
The way Aston Villa disrupted Manchester City’s flow in possession was the key to their victory in December, pressing hard and high to really dominate the contest. Will they be quite as cohesive without John McGinn and Ollie Watkins? Nicolo Zaniolo has endured a difficult season but has begun to show glimpses of the talent that once made him one of Italy’s top talents - this feels like a big night for the midfielder.
News of a late change for the visitors - Emi Martinez is unwell, so Robin Olsen steps in to the starting side.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
It will be fascinating to see how Manchester City line up tonight. It looks a versatile front five named by Pep Guardiola, with Julian Alvarez in theory leading the line but the quintet like to move and morph with and without the ball to ask Aston Villa complex questions.
Arsenal up and running
It’s a busy night of Premier League action, with Manchester City’s fellow title chasers Arsenal also in action. Can Luton cause an upset at the Emirates? They’re already playing in North London - throw it up on another tab and follow along with m’colleague Michael Jones:
Arsenal vs Luton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
The Gunners can regain top spot in the table if they overcome Luton at home
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