Phil Foden Became the Hero In City's Aston Villa Demise

The English midfielder displayed exceptional performance in a commanding 4-1 victory over Unai Emery's team, maintaining Manchester City's pressure on Liverpool and Arsenal at the top of the table.

Match Video Highlight (Manchester City vs Aston Villa)

Recent events suggest that Manchester City might not necessarily need Erling Haaland or even Kevin De Bruyne, as long as Phil Foden maintains his current level of form. While there may be ongoing discussions about Haaland's overall contribution and De Bruyne's age and fitness, Foden's brilliance is unquestionable, especially given his local roots.

Pep Guardiola made significant decisions by benching Haaland and De Bruyne, along with implementing four other changes in the lineup. Villa, however, faced their own challenges with key players missing, including Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, in addition to John McGinn and Matty Cash.

City took an early lead through Rodri's strike, but Villa swiftly responded with a well-executed counter-attack finished by Jhon Duran, who became the youngest away scorer at the Etihad Stadium in almost eight years. Despite this setback, City regained their advantage just before halftime with a Foden free-kick, aided by hesitant defending from Nicolo Zaniolo in the Villa wall.

Stefan Ortega thwarted Douglas Luiz's attempt to level the score early in the second half, before Phil Foden sealed the game for Manchester City. Foden calmly placed a first-time shot into the bottom corner following excellent build-up play by Rodri. He then scored a breathtaking goal into the top corner just moments after being fouled, completing his second hat-trick of the season.

Man City's players rating from the Etihad Stadium

Goalkeeper & Defense

Stefan Ortega (7/10):Made a crucial save to deny Luiz, maintaining City's lead. Showed composure in possession and couldn't be faulted for Duran's impressive goal.

Rico Lewis (6/10):Provided City with added presence in midfield but struggled defensively, with some of Villa's best opportunities originating from his side.

Ruben Dias (5/10):Found himself caught off guard for Villa's equalizer and appeared hesitant on several occasions.

Manuel Akanji (6/10):Demonstrated comfort on the ball and in defensive situations.

Josko Gvardiol (6/10):Continued his strong form with another solid performance, showcasing significant improvement over the course of the season.

Midfield

Bernardo Silva (6/10):
Displayed his trademark smooth passing and dribbling skills, contributing significantly to City's control of the game.

Rodri (8/10):
Dictated play in the midfield, showcasing both defensive solidity and attacking prowess. Scored the opening goal and played a crucial role in setting up Foden's second.

Phil Foden (10/10):
Delivered an exceptional performance that was simply outstanding. Not only did he contribute to Rodri's goal, but he also took command of the game, ensuring City's victory on his terms. Foden's skill, creativity, and impact were so profound that he could be considered a strong contender for Player of the Year accolades. His performance was truly remarkable and deserving of high praise.

Attack

Jeremy Doku (6/10):
Provided his first assist since November by setting up Rodri's goal. His skillful dribbling caused problems for Villa's defense, but he often lacked clarity in decision-making.

Julian Alvarez (4/10):
Struggled to adapt to his role as the leading striker and missed several opportunities to either score or create chances for teammates.

Jack Grealish (7/10):
Bounced back from a dressing down from Guardiola with a commendable and unselfish performance against his former club. Grealish displayed excellent awareness and teamwork, contributing positively to City's attacking efforts.

Substitutes & Manager

Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Came close to scoring with a well-curled strike, adding energy and intent to City's attack.

Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Entered the game to provide stability in midfield during the final 15 minutes, fulfilling his role effectively.

Oscar Bobb (N/A):
Made a positive impact during his brief appearance on the pitch from the 80th minute onwards, injecting energy and enthusiasm into City's play.

Sergio Gomez (N/A):
Squandered a clear goal-scoring opportunity, reflecting disappointment in his expression.

Pep Guardiola (7/10):
Displayed his tactical acumen by making bold decisions to bench Haaland and De Bruyne against a top-four opponent. The team exhibited greater fluidity and freedom without them, indicating Guardiola's ability to adapt and utilize his squad effectively. Guardiola's courage in making such decisions and the team's performance under his guidance earned him commendation.