Pep Guardiola claims Phil Foden has 'goals in his veins' as he heaps praise on Manchester City's hat-trick hero... and promises more from him 'if City don't play s***'!

Phil Foden has ‘goals in his veins’ and a ‘gift’ that can see him become one of the best in the business, according to Pep Guardiola.

The 23-year-old hit a sublime hat-trick, the third of his career in the Premier League, to topple Aston Villa and get Man City’s title bid back on track after the disappointment of a weekend draw to Arsenal.

Asked what Foden has done to take a goalscoring leap this season, Guardiola was loathe to take credit away from the England star.

‘Phil in a central position has a sense of goals. In that position he gets goals and assists,’ he said.

‘He can do whatever he wants. I think he’s a really top class player and we know it. He’s open minded, he still has to focus on the things, sometimes he’s distracted with what to do defensively, but he has a natural talent, a gift. He’s so special when he’s in a central position.

‘He has goals in his veins, and we have to use him.’

Foden started poorly in the opinion of Guardiola but found his groove after a brilliant free-kick put City 2-1 ahead.

His second saw him escape the vision of any Villa defender as he waltzed into the area while his third was a thunderbolt from distance. Goals, particularly on a night like this with Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland relegated to the substitutes’ bench, have been on his mind this season.

‘I see myself as a really technical player in the pockets,’ Foden said.

‘Out wide I think I can do that job but I prefer to do it in the middle. This year I am growing into the game.

‘The manager spoke on showing rhythm and slowing the game down so I think I have added that to my game too. Before I was going so quickly, attacking every action. But now I am getting the balance just right.

‘I always try to arrive in the box, that is where the goals are. You get at least five a season arriving in the box late.

‘I've been working on all aspects of my game in midfield, but like I said still a lot to improve on and I'm still growing in that position.’

If City ‘don’t play s**t’ more goals for Foden will follow, according to Guardiola, who was plenty chipper about the latest masterclass from the Stockport-born playmaker.

‘I'm just loving my football at the moment, playing with a smile on my face and trying to help the team. I know I am capable of scoring goals, and today I showed that so I am delighted,’ Foden added, speaking to TNT Sports.

‘I always set myself [the aim] to do better than last season, get more goal contributions. I think I am up this year so I'm doing well.'

Rodri, who was again masterful in running the show here, echoed the praise of his manager on a night that was all about Foden.

‘With this player he grows every single year,’ the Spaniard said.

‘He can score whatever he wants, arriving in the box, he has a special quality, three today and so happy for him.’