Manchester City 4 Aston Villa 1
The England midfielder was simply amazing as the champions destroyed Unai Emery’s team 4-1, keeping Liverpool and Arsenal at bay.
Manchester City might be better off without Erling Haaland and even Kevin De Bruyne given Phil Foden’s current form. Since opinions regarding the age and fitness of the Belgian and the Norwegian’s all-around play will always differ, there is no denying their natural skill.
Pep Guardiola made two important choices on Wednesday, benching Haaland and De Bruyne among his four alterations, in addition to John McGinn and Matty Cash’s absences. But Villa’s signing of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez undermined him even more.
Rodri had given the champions the early lead, but Villa responded brilliantly through a counterattack led by Jhon Duran, the team’s youngest goal scorer to visit the Etihad in almost eight years. Foden’s free kick just before halftime provided City the momentum they needed to retake the lead because of Nicolo Zaniolo’s careless defending in the Villa wall.
Early in the second half, Stefan Ortega stopped Douglas Luiz from tying the score, and Foden concluded it. After a brilliant play, Rodri found the bottom corner for his first goal of the year. Shortly after, he was tackled and managed to score his second treble of the year.
GOAL rates Man City’s players from the Etihad Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Ortega, Stefan (7/10):
Tipped Luiz’s attempt over to preserve City’s lead. Cool under pressure and guiltless in Duran’s incredible goal.
Rico Lewis (6/10):
Added additional presence to City’s midfield but was flimsy in defense, allowing Villa to have some of their greatest moments when they were on his side.
Ruben Dias (5/10):
Captured off guard for Villa’s equalizer and appeared undecided multiple times.
Manuel Akanji (6/10):
Comfortable on the ball and out of possession.
Josko Gvardiol (6/10):
Another outstanding game from a player who has become much better as the season has gone on.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva (6/10):
His deft dribbling and passing made sure City was always in control.
Rodri (8/10):
dominated the midfield and showed great skill in the closing third, setting up Foden’s second goal and scored the first.
Phil Foden (10/10):
Beautiful beyond words. contributed to Rodri’s goal before seizing control of the match and making sure City won on his terms. It would be better for him to accept his Player of the Year honors now.
Attack
Jeremy Doku (6/10):
Got his first assist since November by setting up Rodri. His trickery cut holes in Villa’s defence but he rarely knew what to do next.
Alvarez Julian (4/10):
Leading the line appeared awkward, as he missed numerous opportunities to score or assist a teammate.
Jack Grealish (7/10):
Recovered from Guardiola’s dressing-down by playing a fantastic and unselfish game against his former team.
Subs & Manager
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
In a perfect strike, almost curled.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Had just to hold the position for the last fifteen minutes.
Oscar Bobb (n/a):
A bright cameo from the 80th minute.
Sergio Gomez (not available):
His embarrassed expression said it all—he missed a true sitter.
Guardiola, Pep (7/10):
demonstrated his integrity by benching Haaland in front of both De Bruyne and a top-four opponent, and his team played more freely and fluidly than they did.
