Foden helped inspire City to a win after going a goal down after just 20 seconds
Foden helped inspire City to a win after going a goal down after just 20 seconds (Picture: Getty Images)

Pep Guardiola hailed the influence of Phil Foden after the midfielder helped Manchester City come back from a goal down to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Villa opened the scoring after just 20 seconds through John McGinn but goals from Foden and Rodri in the first half were enough to see City claim all three points.

Both sides ended the game with 10 men after sendings off for John Stones and Matty Cash either side of half-time but City held onto their advantage to move within eight points of winning the Premier League title.

Guardiola hailed the importance of the 20-year-old
Guardiola hailed the importance of the 20-year-old (Picture: Getty Images)

Foden further proved his growing influence with another dazzling display as he finished off a flowing move which crucially got his side back in the game.

The 20-year-old now has 14 goals and nine assists across all competitions, and Guardiola feels he is turning into a ‘serious player’.

‘This guy is growing,’ Guardiola told Sky Sports.

‘His influence in our game is massive. He’s becoming a serious player. 

‘Phil right now, in the last games especially, is becoming such an important player.

‘His influence in the final third is so important. He can play wide, he can play inside, he’s so aggressive with the ball.’

Former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp also raved about Foden’s performance and insisted the sky is the limit for him.

‘We always get excited about young talent but this kid is the real deal,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports after City’s win over Villa.

‘He is amazing. For such a young player to play with so much flair and aggression – it’s incredible.

‘Sometimes you worry that when a young kid gets too much, too early, they’re going to lose that hunger and desire but if this kid keeps accelerating at this rate, anything is possible for him. It’s frightening.’

MORE : All six Premier League clubs begin withdrawal process to leave European Super League

Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For more stories like this, check our sport page.