Manchester City’s striker Phil Foden helped his team remain in the title-contending fight after thrashing Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The reigning champions got off to the perfect start when Rodri hammered home Jeremy Doku’s cross in the 11th minute.
Then Aston Villa, who were missing key stars in Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez, and John McGinn, hosted a fine play nine minutes later to level play when Jhon Duran fired a corner shot into the back of the net.
The two teams seemed to be heading into halftime leveled when Phil Foden fired a beautiful low shot into the net from a free kick in first-half stoppage time.
Foden then put the result beyond doubt just past the hour with a crisp, first-time strike off the post that took his tally for the season to 20 in all competitions.
Then he secured a third seven minutes later, completing his treble with a long-range shot that flew into the top corner 20 minutes from time.
The result means City stay third but they are now a point behind new leaders Arsenal, who beat Luton Town.
They are also behind second-placed Liverpool on goal difference, but the Reds have a game against Sheffield United on Thursday night. They got to the top of the best of them.
Villa stays fourth but fifth-placed Tottenham could move above them if they win their game in hand.
Next up, Man City travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime while Villa host Brentford later that afternoon.
Speaking about the match, Manchester City striker, Rodri said:
“Today I think we played amazing from the first minute. We conceded the goal, but we won the game and, in general, I think it was one of the best games of the season.
“We knew we had to have more players in the box. There are no secrets in football, you have to get into the box to score goals in football and that was the message from the beginning of the game.”
