Guardiola ‘Excited’ as Foden Hat-Trick Seals Dramatic Man City Win Over Villa, Pushing Champions to Third
Manchester, UK – Pep Guardiola expressed his excitement and satisfaction after Manchester City overcame a spirited Aston Villa side with a dominant 4-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
A sensational hat-trick from England midfielder Phil Foden proved decisive, propelling the reigning Premier League champions into third place in a tightly contested title race.
City took an early lead through Rodri’s precise finish, but Villa, despite missing key players like Ollie Watkins and John McGinn, responded bravely. Jhon Durán’s clever flick brought the visitors level, threatening to spoil City’s evening.
However, the home side, particularly Foden, rediscovered their rhythm before halftime. Foden restored City’s lead with a perfectly executed free-kick, setting the stage for his second-half heroics.
The 23-year-old added two more goals after the break – one a powerful shot from range and the other a composed finish after a swift attack – to complete his treble and seal a crucial three points for Guardiola’s men.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of facing Unai Emery’s well-drilled team but was clearly pleased with his players’ response, especially after Villa’s equalizer.
“It was a good performance,” Guardiola told reporters. “We started really well, but after they equalized, the moment we were a bit unstable. But we adjusted, and Phil’s goals were incredible. His free-kick was amazing, and his performance tonight was exceptional.”
“I am so happy, so satisfied,” the Spaniard added, visibly excited by the result and the performance. “We knew how important this game was against a top team like Aston Villa.
To win 4-1 is a fantastic result for us and keeps us in the fight. We are third now, and we have to keep this momentum.”
The win moves City to 66 points, level with second-placed Arsenal and just one point behind leaders Liverpool, though both rivals play later in the week. With seven league games remaining, the title race promises a thrilling climax.
For Aston Villa, the defeat is a setback in their pursuit of a top-four finish, leaving them in fourth place, battling with Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite the scoreline, they showed moments of quality but ultimately couldn’t contain the brilliance of Foden.
City’s focus now turns to their next challenge as they aim to maintain pressure on their title rivals, with Guardiola hoping his team can replicate the energy and finishing displayed in this dramatic win.
Tolu Adebayo
Reporter/ Social Media Manager
