Manchester City starlet Phil Foden emerged as the star man once again as his side overcame a tough challenge to secure vital points on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old attacker was extremely influential as the Citizens secured a 2-1 comeback win over Aston Villa to close in on the Premier League title dream.
The start of the encounter presented an unpleasant turn for the visitors after McGinn fired Villa in front just 20 seconds after kick-off. Per the record books, the goal was the second-quickest ever conceded by Man City in the Premier League's history after Alan Shearer's goal in 10 seconds when they met Newcastle United in January 2003.
Not long after, Pep Guardiola's men managed a response with Phil Foden scoring the leveller in the 22nd minute. 18 minutes later, Rodri scored what will be the eventual winner for the league leaders before John Stones received his first-ever Premier League red card to put his side in an uncomfortable position ahead of recess.
But Villa could not capitalize on having an extra man and would subsequently see their chances of a comeback slipping down the drain after Matty Cash received two yellow cards in quick succession for challenges on Phil Foden. The latter finished endured the whole duration of the game pullng the strings in attack and being a menace for the hosts who could not manage an equalizer.
In the end, Foden's strike took his contribution for this season to 23 and his record under Pep Guardiola to 29. As a result, he matched Bojan Kirkic's record as the only players to manage that tally before turning 21 under the Spanish coach.
29 - No player has scored more goals in all competitions before turning 21 for Pep Guardiola than Phil Foden (29 - level with Bojan). Special. pic.twitter.com/0qd2mkb72L
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 21, 2021
For Man City, the win extended their points atop the Premier League table to 77 in 33 outings - 11 more than closest rivals Manchester United. The Citizens will travel away to face off with Crystal Palace in their next league outing but that will not be until they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup final and Paris Saint-Germain in the first-leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
