Phil Foden revealed he wasn’t on free-kicks despite dispatching one tonight on the way to a hat-trick in Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa.
The England international curled one through a feeble Villa wall to restore the hosts’ advantage shortly before half-time. He then scored two fantastic goals to complete his treble and move City to within a point of the Premier League summit.
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Foden told TNT Sports: “I don’t actually practice them. I’m not sure why I took that one [for the second goal], Julian [Alvarez] was on them but I just felt confident at the time.
“I asked him if he minded me having that one and to be fair he gave it to me and it paid off in the end.”
Rodri grabbed City’s opener and the Spain midfielder also laid on Foden’s second with a wonderful piece of skill on the edge of the Villa area.
“I’m lost for words with this guy,” Foden said. “He is our most important player. When he doesn’t play there is a clear difference.”
City remain third, although they will slip three points behind Liverpool again tomorrow if Jurgen Klopp’s men see off rock-bottom Sheffield United at Anfield.
Foden said: “We don’t really look too far ahead. If we are in and around it with 10 games to go then we know we are capable. We are in and around it again now so it is still possible. We have to keep believing. That was what the manager was big on today, believe and fight until the end.”
“He has goals in his veins!” 🩸
Pep Guardiola talks Phil Foden, Rodri and the title run-in with @Becky_Ives_… 🙌 pic.twitter.com/MwHP8xe0H1
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 3, 2024
Pep Guardiola left out Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland with both named on the bench after appearing jaded during Sunday’s goalless draw with Arsenal.
He insisted that should not be interpreted as him weakening his line-up ahead of the challenges to come, however.
He told BBC MOTD: “We put the players out to win it not just to rest players. We need fresh legs and we only played three days ago against Arsenal. We needed it because of the schedule so we needed the rest.”
Villa beat City 1-0 in a dominant performance before Christmas but boss Unai Emery admitted his side were second best tonight.
He told TNT Sports: “Until the first goal we played well. We had a chance to draw the match but when they scored the third goal they showed their power. They are up there with Arsenal and Liverpool and today they confirmed it.
“We have some injuries, we played Saturday and again this week. We have to try and save some players. We decided to do a competitive team with some young players too to get some confidence. At the end of the match we know they deserved the match, they were better than us and they showed it.
“The focus is now Brentford. Difficult match coming up on Saturday.”
