'Special Foden steals show in absence of Haaland & De Bruyne'

It's the first time in Phil Foden's career that he has achieved the feat of scoring more than 20 goals in a season.

Although he's not considered a minor player in Manchester City's team due to his unparalleled excellence, Phil Foden's remarkable worth was once again highlighted with a remarkable display of brilliance in their game against Aston Villa.

Manager Pep Guardiola surprised many by choosing not to start his star players, Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland. However, in hindsight, it was clear that his decision was justified, as Phil Foden's exceptional performance left no gap unfilled in their excellent 4-1 victory.

No need to worry about not having De Bruyne or Haaland when you have an outstanding player like Phil Foden in such great shape.

If De Bruyne and Haaland are the main stars of City, then Foden is also a strong contender to be included in Guardiola's impressive lineup of players.

The performance of Manchester City was remarkable and showed their old quality. Foden was the main force behind it, and Rodri also contributed greatly.

Guardiola Seeks New Leaders With Key Players Missing

Guardiola's choice of players was unexpected because Villa, who were managed by the clever Unai Emery, were a strong team in the top four race. This was particularly notable because Haaland may have wanted to prove his worth after receiving unfair feedback about his performance in the previous fixture against Arsenal, which resulted in a tie with no goals.

However, instead of playing on the field, he had the opportunity to sit with De Bruyne in Manchester City's bench and watch as Foden performed brilliantly in the number 10 position. Foden was controlling the game with ease, showcasing his importance to Guardiola's team. This also highlights the fact that he should definitely be included in the starting lineup for Gareth Southgate's England team when they participate in Euro 2024.

When the main stars are not around, Guardiola searches for alternative options to take charge. Foden confidently took on the responsibility and became the source of inspiration for City.

Foden scored three goals in varied styles, starting from a smart free-kick that was hit low to give City a 2-1 lead towards the end of the first half. He then scored a sleek low finish, providing his team with a two-goal advantage. Finally, Foden closed the game with a superb powerful strike which went high past Villa's keeper, Robin Olsen. This brought an end to the game and enabled City to secure the three points. Olsen was in goal in place of Emiliano Martinez, who had to be withdrawn due to an illness.

The young player, aged 23, has always had a strong determination to achieve his goals, as Guardiola pointed out after the match. This is the second time he has scored three goals in a single game this season, following his performance against Brentford, and his total of 21 goals from a midfield position is extremely noteworthy and represents the pinnacle of his career so far. He has now accumulated a total of 81 goals for City, with the goal he scored in this particular match being his first direct free-kick.

Guardiola and his team could have had a risky night as they appeared lackluster and unenergetic while playing against Arsenal, resulting in a 0-0 draw and hardly causing any danger to Arteta's team.

Foden's efforts were crucial in eliminating any concerns on Wednesday night, despite some tense moments. City emerged victorious with ease, highlighting the fluidity, harmony, and danger they failed to display against Arsenal.

'Unrestricted Freedom: His Choice'

Foden played a crucial role in City's impressive performance, which serves as a reminder to those who doubted their ability to make a late comeback for the title after their setback against Arsenal.

Ultimately, he ensured that it was a truly comfortable and outstanding evening for the current champions. He deserved every bit of the loud and enthusiastic applause that greeted him as he exited the game with only 10 minutes remaining.

Guardiola, who is known for his pursuit of perfectionism, noted that Foden had a rough start. However, he admitted that he couldn't deny how well he finished. Guardiola praised Foden, stating that he is an exceptional player and can do anything he sets his mind to.

He remains receptive to new ideas and there are certain aspects of the game he needs to grasp, particularly when it comes to paying attention on defense as he tends to lose focus at times. However, his dedication to the sport is remarkable. He is truly exceptional, especially when he is positioned in the center.

Theo Walcott, who used to play for England, expressed to BBC's 5 Live Sport that Phil Foden has gained knowledge and skills from prestigious names such as Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Pep Guardiola, and Kevin de Bruyne. Currently, at only 23 years old, Foden is considered one of the top players in the Premier League.

The way he plays is comparable to someone who's 30 years old because of his vast knowledge of the game. He's an exceptional player and the fact that he's from the city and has been a product of the academy makes his achievements even more remarkable. He's living the life he's always wanted and fulfilling his dreams.

De Bruyne and Haaland are expected to make a comeback soon, especially since the Premier League title race seems to be heading towards the wire with Arsenal and Liverpool fiercely competing. However, if City wants to clinch their sixth title in seven seasons, Foden's contribution and impact may prove to be just as important.