Phil Foden completed an incredible hat-trick and reached a personal milestone at Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Foden underlined his importance to Pep Guardiola ahead of a gritty title run involving Liverpool and Arsenal with a fine individual performance against Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old scored three times against Unai Emery's side, including his first-ever direct free-kick - though he might have Nicolo Zaniolo to thank.

The England international grabbed his second to make it 3-1 to City with a delightful finish into the bottom corner after an hour of play before wrestling himself off the floor to plant a shot into the roof of the net moments later in.

That was his 21st strike of the campaign in all competitions and his hat-trick has seen the attacking midfielder reach 20 goals in a single campaign for the first time as a professional player.

It was no surprise to see Guardiola take Foden out of the fray shortly after completing his hat-trick and replacing him with fellow academy graduate Oscar Bobb.