3️⃣ points as record-breaker Agüero helps Man City hit Villa for six | OneFootball

Sergio Agüero bagged himself a hat-trick and in the process became the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League as Manchester City beat Aston Villa 6-1.

The Argentine forward took his top division tally to 176 with Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus netting the others on a superb day for the reigning champions.

Magical Mahrez

There’s no doubting that Leroy Sané’s knee ligament injury in August has seriously hampered Manchester City’s title defence, and ultimately dampened their threat in attack.

That’s the downside. In the plus column though, has been the strides that Riyad Mahrez has made in the German’s absence.

Starting his 12th game of the season at Villa Park, Mahrez was sensational. He’s always been a joy to watch on the ball, but here everything about his game was totally on point.

His two first half strikes were exceptional and it took him to an astonishing goals and assist record since the start of last season.

He’s become a brilliant Swiss Army kinfe-type player for Pep Guardiola and will surely be key in their quest for Champions League glory later this year.

The record-breaker

Sergio Agüero’s neatly taken second goal was a very special one for the Manchester City man.

It was his 176th in the Premier League for the Etihad outfit and took him above perhaps the division’s greatest ever foreign import – Thierry Henry.

Still though, it seems to us as if the Argentine forward is somewhat underrated.

You can see him staying with Pep Guardiola’s men for at least another two seasons, by which time, if he continues at his current scoring rate, could be close to Wayne Rooney’s total of 208 Premier League goals.

A genuine legend in English football who deserves every honour he gets. Let’s hope he sticks around for a while yet.

Villains of the piece

Yes, they were playing a Manchester City side who are, right now, absolutely humming. So there are mitigating circumstances to what we’re about to say.

But Aston Villa – what the hell happened?

On Wednesday night we sung your praises as you went toe-to-toe with Leicester and took the game to the third-best side in the division.

Here, you fell apart like wet tissue paper.

Dean Smith’s side had no answer to the continuous wave of City attacks and were left almost punch-drunk come the 90th minute.

Again, they were playing a visiting side at the peak of their powers, but this is a worrying sign for the Midlands side who really should have kicked on from their EFL Cup semi-final draw.

Bonus point

Kevin De Bruyne is the best player in the Premier League and it’s not even close.