Phil Foden scored a hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed Aston Villa 4-1 at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Foden scored the three goals in the absence of striker Erling Haaland and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

The champions responded emphatically to questions over their ability to win the biggest games to move to within one point of leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

City had not beaten a side in the Premier League’s top five in six attempts this season prior to the visit of fourth-placed Villa to the Etihad.

City manager Pep Guardiola showed faith in the depth of his squad by leaving Haaland and De Bruyne on the bench for the full 90 minutes ahead of a hectic schedule in their defence of three competitions.

“The schedule is terrible and we have to bring energy. Everybody has to be involved,” said Guardiola on his decision to leave out Haaland and De Bruyne.

Guardiola also hailed Foden as the best player in the English top-flight this season and the 23-year-old backed up his manager’s words by taking his goal tally for the season to 21.

The manager added: “Phil, when he plays in a central position, he has a sense of goal.

Arsenal defeat Luton at Emirates to top Premier League

“He’s a really top-class player – he has a natural talent, a gift.”

City were beaten 1-0 by Villa when the sides met in December 2023 but that was their last defeat as Guardiola’s men are now unbeaten in 24 games.

Jeremy Doku was one of those to return to the City side among four changes and the Belgian rewarded his manager with his brightest display in a City shirt for months.

Doku was the creator for the opener as he skipped past Lucas Digne and his cross was swept high past Villa’s stand-in goalkeeper Robin Olsen by Rodri.

Villa’s normal number one Emiliano Martinez was just one of a host of key absences for the visitors.

Top scorer Ollie Watkins was sidelined by injury, while captain John McGinn was suspended.

However, Jhon Duran showed he is an able deputy to Watkins as the Colombian swept home a fine equaliser after exchanging a one-two with Morgan Rogers.

City restored their lead just before half-time to calm the rising tension among the Etihad crowd thanks to Foden’s first of the night.

His free-kick sneaked through a hole in the Villa wall caused by Nicolo Zaniolo jumping out of position to leave Olsen unsighted.

Foden made the points safe when he swept in Rodri’s pass off the inside of the post. He completed his hat-trick in style by blasting into the top corner from outside the box.

Liverpool can however retake top spot when they host bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United on Thursday.

City are back in action on Saturday, travelling to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The Star