Phil Foden stated that he enjoys playing in a central position after scoring three goals for Manchester City against Aston Villa.

Manchester City’s English midfielder, Phil Foden, expressed his preference for playing centrally after his team’s impressive 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday night. Foden, who has often been deployed on the right flank this season, excelled in a central attacking midfield role behind striker Julian Alvarez, scoring a hat-trick in the process.

Speaking after the game, the 23-year-old revealed his enjoyment of playing in the central areas of the pitch. “I’m loving my football; playing with a smile on my face,” Foden 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.”

Foden sees himself as a technical player who can operate in the pockets and out wide, but he prefers the central role. “This year I’m growing into the game,” he explained. “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.”

The young midfielder also emphasized his desire to improve and develop in his current position. “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.”

Foden’s performance against Aston Villa was not only marked by his goals but also by a stunning free kick. Surprisingly, Foden admitted that he doesn’t actually practice free kicks and took the opportunity on a whim. “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.”

Another standout player in City’s victory was Rodri, who scored the opening goal and provided the assist for Foden’s second. Foden praised the Spanish midfielder, stating, “I’m lost for words with this guy. 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 against Aston Villa has brought Manchester City within a single point of league leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table. Foden remains optimistic about their title chances this season, saying, “We don’t look too far ahead, we look at the next game. 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.”