The play went well Pep Guardiola. Dedicated to Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne thinking about the Champions League tie against Real Madrid, but there they are Phil Fodenauthor of another hat trick, and the priceless Rodri, who opened the scoring, to finish Aston Villa in Unai Emery (4-1) and keep pace with Arsenal and Liverpool in an exciting three-way battle to win the Premier League.
At 23 years old, Foden is having his best season yet of his short career both for his football growth and his scoring prowess. Be an indispensable player for Guardiola, has 21 points14 of them in the Premier.
Draw Martínez, last minute loss
There are surprises in the lineups. Guardiolawithout the injured Ederson, Walker and Aké, He rested Haaland and De Bruyne at the start of Tuesday’s Real Madrid-City clash, while Emery didn’t rely on him at the last minute. Emi Martínez, due to illness, and added to the notorious defeat of the scorer Watkins, McGinn or Jacob Ramsey.
Julian Alvarez, who missed a lot on Sunday when Guardiola didn’t give him minutes against Arsenal (0-0), played up front instead Haaland and immediately warned a half-turn shot to the side of the net.
Foden made it 1-0 for Rodri
But Rodri, never resting, opened the scoring with an off-balance action by Foden with a deep bruise behind the Lucas Digne who took advantage Jeremy Doku to go inside and put in a delayed pass that Rodri, who placed his right foot, sent into the net by the short post (11′).
Aston Villa, even without some of its stars, were undaunted. Emery put in a low defense to control City’s undisputed possession but didn’t hesitate to come out quickly when he had the chance, turning on the rebel. John Duran.
Jhon Durán tied on the counterattack
Watkins was absent but the young Colombian striker was there, equalizing on a counterattack after breaking down a wall with Morgan Rogers which surprised Rúben Dias and crossed before the departure of Stefan Ortega (20′).
Robin Olsen He also tried to make the absence of ‘Dibu’ Martínez as noticeable as possible and made two outstanding interventions with a great volley from Jack Grealish against his former team and arrival from Julián Álvarez.
Foden’s free-kick goal assisted by Zaniolo
Foden, as against Arsenal, did not seem to be on his level but, at 1-0, he reappeared by putting City ahead again in the first half of extra time with a free kick that went past Olsen because Nicolò Zaniolo He opened the barrier and the ball went through the space he left.
After a break Olsen continued to support Villa in taking two shots of Doku and Bernardo Silvathough Ortega is also very inspired when Douglas Luiz asked for a counter and he changed hands.
Rodri-Foden connection
But the Rodri-Foden connection definitely ended Aston Villa’s fightback. The man from Madrid, brilliant as always, left the opponent behind and worked on a wonderful pass between two others with the Englishman, who thoughtlessly hit the ball against the post (62′).
Foden, breaking loose, capped off his fine performance by stealing into the edge of the area and immediately unleashing a high shot that finished. his second hat trick in two months after the one achieved on February 5 against Brentford (1-3). Sergio Gómez had a one-handed shot against the post in added time.
Pep gave it back to Emery
Guardiola gave Emery the 1-0 lead again in Birmingham (it was the Basque’s first victory against the Catalan in his career) but Aston Villa remains fourth, in the Champions League positions, although it has Tottenham just two points behind.
match lineup
18
82
24
twenty
3
25
Eleven
16
19
47
10
25
4
12
6
3
17
19
47
24
27
22
Etihad Stadium
Robin Olsen25
Ezra Konsa4
Lucas Digne12
74′
Douglas Luiz6
37′
63′
Diego Carlos3
Clement Lenglet17
79′
Moussa Diaby19
62′
10′
74′
Tim Iroegbunam47
62′
John Duran24
19′
70′
Four. five’
61′
68′
79′
Morgan Rogers27
31′
Nicolò Zaniolo22
76′
Replacements
Joe Gauci18
Pau Torres14
74′
Alex Morenofifteen
70′
Calum Chambers16
63′
93′
79′
Kaine Kesler-Hayden29
74′
Youri Tielemans8
62′
79′
Leon Bailey31
62′
Omari Kellyman71
76′
coach
Pep Guardiola
Unai Emery
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
