Sergio Aguero scored his 12th hat-trick in Premier League, to become the highest overseas goalscorer, as Manchester City thrashed Aston Villa 6-1 at Villa Park.
Manchester City reclaimed second place with this in the Premier League table, thanks to the leading overseas scorer in Premier League history. The Argentinian dethrone Thierry Henry in highest number of goal category and Alan Shearer in number of Premier League hat-tricks. He is with 12 hat-tricks and 177 league goals after his arrival in 2011.
Only three men – Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole – are still ahead of him on the all-time Premier League list.
It was part of a merciless City performance as they took apart a Villa side who were suffering their worst defeat since Liverpool beat them at 6-0 at Villa Park in February 2016 and have dropped into the relegation zone.
For the first goal, Mahrez collected the ball about 35 yards outside after Kevin De Bruyne allowed an Agüero pass run to him. Drinkwater seemingly unable to do more than chug along behind the attacker, who moved into the box unchallenged before using Kortney Hause’s body as a shield and thrashing a low shot past the unsighted Nyland. Rather than wake Villa up, it seemed to render them even more passive.
Six minutes later Agüero took advantage of dawdling by Ahmed Elmohamady to prod the ball back from the byline. It landed at the feet of Drinkwater. David Silva nipped in to relieve him of the ball and feed Mahrez, who swished it into the net from 10 yards.
City came back for more, scoring their third before the half-hour mark. De Bruyne zipped past Drinkwater in midfield before finding Agüero, who brushed aside Douglas Luiz before blasting into the net from 20 yards to equal Henry’s record. There was no chance of him stopping there. Jesus got in on the act before half-time, converting at the back post after De Bruyne had again been allowed to canter through midfield and deliver a superb low cross.
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Manchester City created chances to increase their lead before Agüero did so in the 57th minute. Again De Bruyne motored past Villa midfielders to feed David Silva, who slipped the ball through to Aguero. The striker sidestepped Tyrone Mings before slotting home. He completed his hat-trick at 81st minute. Hause gave the ball to Mahrez, he helped it on to Agüero and the Argentinian made no mistake.
City’s hope for clean sheet was lost when Ilkay Gündogan tripped Trézéguet and El Ghazi netted from the spot but there could be no wiping away Villa’s woes.
The result leaves City second, the highest position they have occupied following a full round of matches since the beginning of November, although they remain 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more.
