sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Phil Foden revels in central role with superb hat-trick as Jack ... trends now
With a pulsating three-way title race underway, serial winners Manchester City showed off their quality against Champions League contenders Aston Villa in a classy 4-1 win at the Etihad.
Rodri was the first to open the scoring for the night's hosts, ably assisted by Jeremy Doku, just past the 10-minute mark, but Unai Emery's side were keen to prove their credentials too when Jhon Duran levelled just nine minutes later.
The visitors did well to hold onto the deadlock for much of the first-half, only for Phil Foden to send the first of his eventual three moments before half-time.
Without Erling Haaland or Kevin De Bruyne - both on the bench - to pull focus, Foden dazzled, his second strike coming on the other half of the break, before he completed his hat-trick to crush Villa's spirits in the 69th minute.
Here, Nathan Salt shares his player ratings on a night which saw Man City keep pace with Liverpool in third, and Villa's grip on fourth falter.
Phil Foden was the man of the hour after he scored a sublime hat-trick to quieten Aston Villa
Rodri opened the scoring after just 11 minutes played at the Etihad on Wednesday evening
Aston Villa saw their grip on fourth place in the table loosened, with Tottenham just two points behind them
Stefan Ortega - 6.5
Could do absolutely nothing about Duran’s impeccable finish low into the far corner. Made a crucial save to deny Douglas Luiz when Villa counter-attacked in numbers just before the hour mark, then Clement Lenglet from the resulting corner.
Josko Gvardiol - 7
Managed to nullify the threat of Moussa Diaby for the most part, which is no mean feat. Best of the City back three on the night.
Ruben Dias - 6
Was caught in two minds for Villa’s goal in terms of pressing Rogers and tracking the run of Duran. Did little else wrong thereafter.
Manuel Akanji - 6
The Swiss is solid enough but it was down his side on the right of the back three that found itself exposed on more than one occasion.
Ruben Dias (right) was solid but struggled to contain Jhon Duran in the build-up to his goal
Rico Lewis' performance was one of supreme confidence - particularly in light of his age
Rico Lewis - 7.5
May be the new kid on the block at age 19 but he’s supremely confident and is never one to be shy of the ball. Provides good legs alongside Rodri.
Rodri - 8
Delivered a thunderous finish to fire City ahead. That’s now eight goals for City in all competitions this season; his most in a single campaign in his club career. His clever footwork on the edge of Villa’s box took three players out the game before he teed up Foden for 3-1.
Phil Foden - 9
Absolutely breathtaking. His first was magic, his second was clinical and his third was world class. He’s just an absolute joy to watch. The way he glides past people like they are in a different postcode to him looks so effortless… and it most definitely isn’t. His third career hat-trick for City.
Bernardo Silva - 6
Should have scored on the turn when played in in the area by Foden five minutes after the interval. A fabulous player but he’s influenced games much more than he did here.
Foden was keen to celebrate with the benched goalscoring behemoth Erling Haaland (right) and Kevin De Bruyne (left)
Jeremy Doku's thrashed crossed could unleash Rodri but he nearly found himself in hot water
