Phil Foden says he prefers playing centrally after scoring hat-trick for Man City against Aston Villa

Phil Foden says he prefers playing centrally after Manchester City's 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

The England international has regularly been stationed on the right flank for City this season, but starred in a central attacking midfield role behind striker Julian Alvarez and scored a hat-trick in City's emphatic win over Villa.

After the game, Foden admitted he enjoys playing in the central areas on the pitch.

"I’m loving my football; playing with a smile on my face," the 23-year-old told TNT Sports.

"I’m just trying to help the team because I know I’m capable of scoring goals. Today I showed that. I set myself better than last season. Trying to get more goal contributions. I’m up this year. Doing well.

"I see myself as a technical player in the pockets and out wide I can do that job. But I prefer in the middle. This year I’m growing into the game. The manager spoke about showing rhythm and slowing the game down. I’ve added that to my game as well. Before I was going so quick; attacking every action. Now I’m getting the balance just right.

"I always try and arrive in the box. That’s where the goals are at and you can get at least five a season arriving in the box late. I still have a lot to improve on and I’m still working on that position.

"I don’t actually practise free kicks. I don’t know why I took that one. Julian was on them. I just felt confident at the time and said 'Julian, do you mind me having this one?'.

"To be fair to him, he gave it to me, and it paid off in the end. As I was celebrating, Jack said that about the Wayne Rooney goal. It reminded me of it."

Rodri also starred for City in the win over Villa, scoring his side's opening goal in the 11th minute and set up Foden's second on the night in the 62nd minute.

Foden says the Spain international doesn't have "a weakness" in his game and that his influence on the pitch is a significant loss when he is not available to play.

"I’m lost for words with this guy [Rodri]," Foden said.

"He can do everything. For me, [he’s the best holding midfielder in the game]. He’s adding goals to his game, in and around the box he can dribble. I don’t see a weakness. He’s our most important player. When he doesn’t play, there’s a big difference."

The win for City puts them just a single point behind first-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table. Foden says City are still "capable" of winning the title this season.

"We don’t look too far ahead, we look at the next game," he said. "If we’re in and around it we know we’re capable. We’re still around it now and we need to fight to the end."

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