fbpx
Connect with us

Aston Villa

Phil Foden scores unstoppable worldie in stunning hat-trick to give Man City win over Aston Villa

Phil Foden scores an unstoppable worldie in his stunning hat-trick to give Man City a 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

The hosts went ahead on 11 minutes, Rodri arriving on cue to meet Doku’s low cross with a thumping first-time shot. VAR check for offside as Doku broke down the right… but the goal stood.

Then on 20 minutes, Villa were level. Duran played a delightful one-two with Rogers and guided a fine low shot into the far corner from the left side of the box.

A VAR check and it was miles onside and, but the officials go through their process and kept everyone waiting again before finally giving it the okay.

On the verge of half time, the champions regained the lead as Foden fired a 22-yard free kick through the wall and into the corner. Olsen had no chance as his wall evaporated in front of him.

With just over 30 minutes left on the clock, Foden got his second of the game to put City ahead again as he sent a shot from the edge of the box in off the post following lovely foot work from Rodri.

Then on 69 minutes, he completed his hat-trick. Foden won the ball back deep in Villa territory and sizzled a 20-yard effort into the top corner.

Man of the Match Phil Foden speaking to TNT Sports:

On free kicks: “I don’t actually practice them. I’m not sure why I took that one [for the second goal], Julian 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.

On the third goal: “As I was walking back with Jack he also mentioned the Wayne Rooney goal, and that is what it reminded me of too.

On Rodri: “Lost for words with this guy. He is our most important player. When he doesn’t play there is a clear difference.

On the title race: “We don’t really look too far ahead. If we are in and around it with ten 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.”

Foden speaking to TNT Sports: “I’m just loving my football at the moment, playing with a smile on my face and trying to help the team. I know I am capable of scoring goals, and today I showed that so I am delighted.

On pre-season targets: “I always set myself [the aim] to do better than last season, get more goal contributions. I think I am up this year so I’m doing well.

On playing centrally: “I see myself as a really technical player in the pockets. Out wide I think I can do that job but I prefer to do it in the middle. This year I am growing into the game.

The manager spoke on showing rhythm and slowing the game down so I think I have added that to my game too. Before I was going so quickly, attacking every action. But now I am getting the balance just right.

“I always try to arrive in the box, that is where the goals are. You get at least five a season arriving in the box late. I’ve been working on all aspects of my game in midfield, but like I said still a lot to improve on and I’m still growing in that position. “

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to BBC Match of the Day:

“We played a really good game, a month ago at Villa Park they were better. Today we were better.

“We missed a lot of chances, but we created a lot. We played really good inside with Phil, Rico and Rodri. Wides were really good with Jack and Jeremy so we made a good game. We created a lot and could’ve scored more goals.”

On resting Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne: “They could play and rest other players. 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.”

Guardiola speaking to TNT Sports:

“If we win I am happy. We lost some easy balls and they are really good in attack. But today we were better.”

On Rodri: “Normally you score goals if you are close to the box and he has been arriving there. We had more presence in the final third, unlike the game against Arsenal.”

On Phil Foden: “His work ethic is amazing. He plays in central positions and has an incredible sense of goal – he has goals in his veins and we have to use him.

“I think it was a mistake from Villa, not over the wall but it was important to score that before half time.

“After the third, they had one or two chances on transition, we had a lot of chances. Really pleased for performance, three days, three days we didn’t have time to prepare the game.”

On Arsenal and Liverpool being favourites for the title ahead of City: “They have more points than us so they are favourites but it’s important to us to qualify for Champions League next season. We are close to that, qualification is important for many reasons. Beating Aston Villa is a big step.”

Theo Walcott (on BBC Radio 5 Live): “Phil Foden has learned from Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Pep Guardiola, Kevin de Bruyne… He is, at this moment in time, one of the best players in the Premier League and at the tender age of 23.

“He’s playing like a 30-year-old, he’s that knowledgeable.

“He’s an extraordinary talent and because he’s grown up in the city, with the academy and how much it means to him it’s even more special.

“He’s living his dream.”

Rio Ferdinand (on TNT Sports): “One standout thing about Phil Foden is that he never seems too high or too low.

“He is very balanced, whether in game or outside of games. I don’t think he gets too overawed by situations. He doesn’t see anything as too big for him.

“The debate with the England team is that surely he has to play centrally, to get the best out of him he has to be in the middle. Get the clips of him in those central areas from tonight to Gareth Southgate and say, ‘Look, who else is doing this?'”

Manchester City midfielder Rodri speaking to TNT Sports:

“Frustration [about Arsenal draw] is what it is. We conceded a goal but we keep the faith and in terms of our general play it was one of our best of the season.

“We knew that we have to have players in the box, we have to arrive in the box to score goals and that was the message at the start of the game.

“I want to help the team, it’s not my role to score goals but I want to score more and it’s something I’ve been working on. Looking at myself after the games and if you want to improve you can do it.”

On Phil Foden: “With this player he grows every single year. He can score whatever he wants, arriving in the box, he has a special quality, three today and so happy for him.”

On first win over a top-five team: “Something we’ve been struggling with this season to face the teams at the top – beating Aston Villa 4-1 is not easy but we did it.

“We’re there, we knew we had to do our homework. We did it and now we focus on the next game.”

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports:

“Robin [Olsen] played well, we conceded four goals but he saved some so really good. 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.

“Scoring goals is good. We try for the best performances and with Jhon [Duran] we keep going.

“Focus is now Brentford. Difficult match coming up on Saturday.”

Here’s how fans reacted after Phil Foden scores an unstoppable worldie in a stunning hat-trick to give Man City a 4-1 Premier League win over Aston Villa…

@Dan_Calveruk: Foden over Rashford/Grealish for Euro’s

@a779457: What we’re seeing this season mate is the passing of the guard from KDB to Foden.

@Jimmywhack79: Never fails to amaze me that Southgate cant get anything out of him

@ElisLongstaff: That could be one of the best prem hat tricks ever 🔥

@jimmylatham8: Oh my lord 😍

@CakeFPL: Hang it in the louvre

@JamesScurf: @England he must start and not on the wing. Play him as a number 10 with rice and Bellingham in midfield. Job done.

@cliffyboy1512: Someone best tell Gareth, cos he’s blind to the fact

@tomrobson11: What a player he is

@Ben_Whittle1997: Bringing it home in summer this mon

@Callumvilla69: What an outrageous strike, we just need him playing like that for England, what a player

@RGwwfc_: He’s a joke 😮‍💨

@BFC84Ash: How does Southgate not get the best out of him for England honestly

@Benjamin_LCFC: Phil Foden wins us the Euros. Most gifted player England have had in my whole lifetime. And I am old 😂😂

@chrismitch99:
Dear Gareth,
Please don’t f*ck it up.
Many Thanks,
England Fans.

@scottgrassick: I fucking hate City I really do but fodens actually going to win us the euros

@paulwatson78: Southgate has this lad, Bellingham, Rice, Kane etc. And, continues to fail!

@nel_ntfc: Phil Foden is one special talent and he is having his best ever season this season at city

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Aston Villa