Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola lauded Phil Foden after a 4-1 win against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Foden scored a hat-trick, scoring goals in 45+1, 62, and 69th minutes of the match.

The Spanish tactician said Foden has goals in his veins. Foden has been in sensational form in the ongoing Premier League season as he has scored 14 goals and has provided seven assists in 30 games he has played.

“His work ethic is amazing. He plays in central positions and has an incredible sense of goal — he has goals in his veins and we have to use him,” Guardiola said. “He has a natural talent, a gift, that is special.”

Guardiola said Foden can do everything on the pitch and hailed him as a world-class player.

“He can do whatever he wants,” said the manager. “He is a really top-class player, we know it.”

Meanwhile, Rodri opened the scoring for Manchester City in the 11th minute and also assisted Foden in his second goal. The gaffer lauded Rodri for his fine performance against the Lions.

“And when we’re right there [in the final third], [Foden] has the sense, he doesn’t need a lot of touches to put the ball into the net,” Guardiola said.

“Football it is the most difficult thing to score goals, the guy who puts the ball in the net. When you have that, it is a gift for the team, absolutely.”

Guardiola slammed the hectic scheduling of the Premier League as they had played against title contenders Arsenal on Sunday.

“The schedule is terrible, [games every] three days, three days, three days,” Guardiola said. “We need fresh legs and we only played three days ago against Arsenal. We needed it because of the schedule so we needed the rest.”

The Cityzens will next take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.