Manchester City vs Aston Villa 4-1: Premier League – as it happened

That’s it from our live coverage of Manchester City against Aston Villa.

The Phil Foden show dominated the match as the midfielder sealed his second hat trick of the season.

Aston Villa had their moments, but Foden’s class was irresistible throughout.

It was City’s best display of the season as a whole, according to their midfielder Rodri, but it also felt as though there was a lot more to come from the defending champions.

Just one point separates the top three but second-placed Liverpool have a game in hand – against Sheffield United on Thursday night.

That, along with Chelsea against Manchester United, will be live here on Al Jazeera, so do join us if you can.

For now though, from me Kevin Hand, it’s goodbye.

This Premier League title contest 😮‍💨

🔴 @Arsenal saw through a convincing with against Luton
🔵 @ManCity enjoyed a great victory against Aston Villa

Will @LFC follow suit tomorrow against Sheffield Utd? pic.twitter.com/wgH59QKGV1

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 3, 2024

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his side are third favourites for the Premier League behind Arsenal and Liverpool.

“They have more points than us, so they are favourites,” he told TNT Sports.

“We have to win our games, but qualification for the Champions League is as important for the clubs as winning the Premier League.

“We conceded a little bit more than usual in transitions, but they were better than us a month ago in Villa Park, and now we are better.

“We were better in the box than against Arsenal, with more people and that’s why we created more chances.”

“We had one more opportunity to level the match [at 2-1], but when they scored the third goal, it was more difficult,” he told TNT Sports.

“They showed their power and the difference between them and Liverpool and Arsenal.

“They deserved to win. They are better than us now, and they showed it. They are going to fight for the Premier League.

“Our focus is now on Brentford at home on Saturday.”

“I’m just loving my football at the moment and playing with a smile on my face,” Foden told TNT Sports.

“I’m just happy to help the team. I set myself the target of more goals and assists, and I think I’m up this season already.

“I prefer playing in the middle and the manager spoke about rhythm and slowing the game down.

“He said I would grow into that position, because before I was going too fast.”

All smiles among the @ManCity substitutes after Phil Foden's third goal of the match 😀#MCIAVL pic.twitter.com/TRXbpPTXLl

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 3, 2024

The gap between third in the Premier League, where the defending champions Manchester City started the game, and Aston Villa in fourth, is huge.

The home side started like a team on a mission following the goalless draw with Arsenal on Sunday.

Rodri’s 11th-minute strike set the tone, despite the blip that was Jhon Duran’s equaliser.

Aston Villa will look long and hard at how their wall allowed Phil Foden’s first, and City’s second, to sail comfortably through it to leave the keeper no chance at the near post.

Foden’s hat trick was completed by a move, and finish, of efficiency and then a ruthless strike to seal the game.

Villa can forget this and move on quickly. City’s title rivals would be well advised to sit up and take note.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri was full of praise for his teammates after a resounding win.

“We played amazing from the first minute, but we kept our foot on the game,” he told TNT Sports.

“In general it was one of the best games of the season.

“We knew we had to have more games in the box than in the game against Arsenal.

“It was the message from the beginning of the game.

“This young lad [Phil Foden] is now a more mature player, and he can score from wherever he wants in the box.”

The referee puts Villa out of their misery.

Full-time: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

The Phil Foden Show at Etihad Stadium 🏟️#MCIAVL pic.twitter.com/MusZt1KefP

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 3, 2024

City win a corner, but it’s just too high for a group of players that pulled clear at the back post.

90+1 minutes: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

Youri Tielemans, with a sloppy back pass, nearly hands City a fifth goal, but the Villa defence shut the door just in time after the midfielder’s generosity.

87 minutes: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

The game is being played at training ground pace with both sides seemingly settled with the result.

83 minutes: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

Both sides continue to ring the changes.

Omari Kellyman replaces Nicolo Zaniolo for Aston Villa.

Phil Foden is given a standing ovation for City as Oscar Bobb takes his place. Sergio Gomez also comes on for Jeremy Doku.

80 minutes: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

Manchester City bring on Mateo Kovacic for Bernardo Silva while Matheus Nunes replaces Rodri.

Aston Villa bring on Alex Moreno to replace Jhon Duran.

75 minutes: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

The winger breaks into the left side of the box and slams a low cross sliding across the face of the goal, but no one can make contact.

72 minutes: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

Pep Guardiola once said Foden is the most gifted youngster he has worked with.

This from a former Barcelona manager who worked with Lionel Messi.

Foden is making the Premier League look like child’s play at present.

With UEFA Euro 2024 on the horizon, England will be delighted with the midfielder’s form.

70 minutes: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

This is a Phil Foden masterclass.

The midfielder goes down on the edge of the box looking for a free kick.

It’s not given and he’s quickly back on his feet as the ball is returned to him and, after one touch, he slams the ball into the top right corner from 20 yards.

This is an incredible display from Foden.

68 minutes: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

The second half, and the last few minutes, in particular, have been overwhelming.

Villa need to hang in there for now, but will need to find a response at some point.

66 minutes: Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa

City almost add another immediately after.

Rico Lewis receives the ball from the right, in a similar position to Foden, just outside the box and swings a half volley wide of the far post.

64 minutes: Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa

It’s Phil Foden again!

City slip the ball towards the edge of the box and the midfielder slides a first-time effort low into the far corner, off the inside of the post.

Training ground football and finish from City and Foden.

61 minutes: Manchester City 3-1 Aston Villa

Clement Lenglet meets the resulting corner, but the header, from the back post, is comfortably enough saved.

57 minutes: Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa

Much like the first half, it’s all City. Then Villa break free and nearly level.

Moussa Diaby squares an incisive pass to the left edge of the area while bursting forward on the counter and Douglas Luiz hits a strong effort towards the top corner, but the shot is pushed over.

54 minutes: Manchester City 2-1 Aston Villa