Arsenal surpassed Liverpool to occupy first place with 68 points with a 2-0 victory over Luton Town. City occupies third place, equal with 67 points with Liverpool, which can return to the top if it wins over its guest Sheffield United on Thursday.
City controlled the ball from the start of the match and took the lead in the 11th minute when Rodri scored after a cross from Jeremy Doku.
But Villa silenced the home fans when 20-year-old John Doran fired the ball into the far corner after a brilliant exchange with Morgan Rogers in the 20th minute.
With City’s top league scorer Erling Haaland on as an uncapped substitute, Foden got to work and found a hole in Villa’s defense with a stunning free kick just before halftime.
Rodri dribbled past Villa’s defense before passing the ball to Foden to score his second goal in the 62nd minute, and the 23-year-old completed his hat-trick with a rocket shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
This was his 21st goal this season for City in all competitions, and the England international left the field to warm applause when he was substituted.
