Soccer-Foden has goals in his veins, says Guardiola

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Aston Villa - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - April 3, 2024 Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Phil Foden has an incredible gift for scoring goals, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said after his young forward scored a sublime hat-trick in a 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa on Wednesday that kept them on course to retain the Premier League title.

With City's league-leading scorer Erling Haaland an unused substitute, Foden stepped up, finding a gap in Villa's wall with a superb free kick just before halftime to net his first goal.