Phil Foden hits hat-trick in virtuoso performance as Manchester City maestro achieves personal milestone

Phil Foden completed an incredible hat-trick and reached a personal milestone at Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Foden stressed its importance for pep guardiola before a tough title race involving Liverpool and Arsenal with a good individual performance against Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old scored three goals Unai Emeryteam, including his first direct free kick, although he could have done Nicolo Zaniolo to thank.

The England international scored his second to make it 3-1 to City with a delightful finish into the bottom corner after an hour of play before rising from the ground to fire a shot into the roof of the net moments later.

That was his 21st goal of the campaign in all competitions and his hat-trick has seen the attacking midfielder reach 20 goals in a single campaign for the first time as a professional player.

It was no surprise to see Guardiola remove Foden from contention shortly after completing his hat-trick and replace him with academy teammate Oscar Bobb.

That also prompted the Etihad crowd to give the youngster a standing ovation in appropriate display after his stellar performance.

Foden's hat-trick came at the perfect time for City, who could have viewed Wednesday's game against Aston Villa as a potential slip-up.

Rodri had put the Premier League champions ahead early in the match, but Jhon Durán managed to score the equalizer and made the half nervous for the home team.

With Arsenal already beating luton city In London, City had to keep pace in a title battle that will no doubt come down to the narrowest of margins.

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But just before half-time, Foden took responsibility for a free-kick on the edge of the area – and rightly so – as he beat Robin Olsen.

He gave City the lead again in the first half before Foden took charge after the break.

Their second goal was down to great work from Rodri, who beat two players before a lovely pass found Foden on the edge of the area.

With a first-class finish, the Stockport-born ace put the ball right into the corner that left Olsen statuesque.

Just seven minutes later, Foden scored his hat-trick after unleashing a fine shot into the top of the net, making this his best-ever season in front of goal.

With 10 assists also to his name, the City star has 31 goals in all competitions and this is also the first top-four team the champions have beaten this season.

Guardiola saw his team return to winning ways after consecutive draws against Liverpool and Arsenal in the league.

Earlier in the campaign, the Gunners beat them at the Emirates, while Liverpool drew at the Etihad in November.

There are eight games left for City, which remains third and tied on points with Jurgen Kloppof the team, which now has one game less.