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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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:
The wrong kind of impact: Why Jack Grealish has reached a crossroads at Man City
Pep Guardiola had finished a particularly animated display of pointing to his left when he executed a 90-degree pivot to his right on the spot, like a man intent on proving he did not need a turning circle. Jack Grealish looked mildly bemused. It was the end of Manchester City 0 Arsenal 0 and Guardiola, with the impatience of a perfectionist, had again demonstrated he could not wait until he reached the sanctuary of the dressing room to make his point.
Thankfully, perhaps, few can translate his range of melodramatic gestures to understand the message he was trying to convey. Grealish may still be none the wiser. Guardiola deadpanned his way through his explanation of his antics. “I did it for the cameras, for my ego,” he said sarcastically. “I am the famous person of the team so that is the reason why. Always I try to criticise the players there and let them know how bad they are.”
The wrong kind of impact: Why Jack Grealish has reached a crossroads at Man City
As the £100m winger prepares to face Aston Villa, Grealish is enduring another difficult season under Pep Guardiola while his former club are reaping the benefits of his big-money move
Aston Villa team news
Young Tim Iroegbunam starts in midfield for Aston Villa, with Jhon Duran utilised up front in the absence of Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa XI: Olsen; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Lenglet, Digne; Zaniolo, Iroegbunam Douglas Luiz, Rogers; Diaby, Duran.
Manchester City team news
Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne drop to the bench for Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola also not feeling that John Stones is yet ready to start.
Manchester CIty XI: Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Dias (C), Gvardiol; Rodri; Doku, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez.
Manchester City vs Aston Villa team news on the way...
Right, with little more than an hour until kick-off in Manchester, both sides will soon be confirming their sides. How will the visitors compensate for the absent Ollie Watkins? And is John Stones ready to return to the Manchester City defence?
Pep Guardiola: John Stones must feel fully fit to start
Pep Guardiola said John Stones has to feel fully fit if he is to make his Manchester City comeback as he added Nathan Ake to his defensive injury list.
The Netherlands international will miss Wednesday’s game against Aston Villa, along with captain Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Ederson.
Stones was on the bench for Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Arsenal after his abductor injury proved less serious than Guardiola initially feared but he is unsure if he will be able to face Unai Emery’s team. Stones has had an injury-hit season and the City manager is reluctant to risk him if he is not comfortable.
Pep Guardiola reveals latest Man City injury blow ahead of Aston Villa test
John Stones could return but Nathan Ake has joined Kyle Walker and Ederson on the sidelines
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa won the reverse fixture 1-0 in December, and are bidding for a first double against Manchester City in more than 60 years. The Etihad hasn’t been a happy hunting ground, though - their last 13 visits have ended in defeat.
Aston Villa hit by huge injury blow with Ollie Watkins ruled out
There will be no Ollie Watkins for Aston Villa tonight, with the striker sidelined by a hamstring issue - though Unai Emery suggested yesterday that the issue is only minor and Watkins could even be back for the weekend.
Aston Villa hit by huge injury blow ahead of facing Man City
Aston Villa will be without their top scorer when they visit the champions
Barcelona race to secure Ruben Amorim and leave Liverpool with two alternative manager targets
It’s shaping as a fascinating summer in the managerial market, with Xabi Alonso seemingly now staying in Germany leaving top clubs scrambling for candidates to fill soon-to-be-vacant positions. Miguel Delaney reports:
Barcelona eye Amorim to leave Liverpool with two major targets
The Portuguese coach has impressed at Sporting and become a serious contender to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but Barcelona are also keen with Xavi set to depart the Camp Nou this summer
England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s in contention and who has work to do?
With the final friendlies before a provisional squad is named done and dusted, only club form will now be enough to force Gareth Southgate’s hand and earn inclusion in England’s Euro 2024 squad. Lawrence Ostlere assesses who should be preparing their passport for a trip to Germany - and who faces a surprisingly free summer.
England’s Euro 2024 squad: Who’s on the plane and who has work to do?
A closer look at which England players are heading to Germany for Euro 2024 and who might miss out on the final 23
Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures – Liverpool, Man City or Arsenal?
The Premier League is heading for a classic title race, with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal set for a three-way battle as the season enters the run-in.
Manchester City, the defending champions, are aiming to win a fourth league title in a row under Pep Guardiola – a feat that has never been achieved in the history of English football. City blew Arsenal away in last year’s run-in, but the Gunners are back in the fight this campaign and showed a newfound resilience to grind out a 0-0 draw at the Etihad on Sunday and remain above the champions with nine games to go.
It leaves Liverpool leading the way as the run-in truly begins, in what are Jurgen Klopp’s final few weeks on Merseyside. After an epic clash between Klopp’s Liverpool and Guardiola’s City, as the managerial rivals met in the Premier League for the final time, it means the top three have now all played each other twice, and the fate of the title will be decided elsewhere.
Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures in the run-in?
Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal all have tricky tests to pass as the Premier League title race hots up, but who has the best run-in?
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