Maybe a hat-trick at home is just what Mario Balotelli needs to settle. Regardless, he's got one and City are now 4-0 up against a woeful Villa side. Thanks to some Adam Johnson right flank trickery, Balotelli got the chance to score his third of the day and embarrass Villa's Brad Friedel in the process.
Manchester City Vs. Aston Villa: Adam Johnson Trickery Wins Penalty, Mario Balotelli Completes Hat-Trick
Barry Bannan was unable to deal with the footwork of Johnson and fouled the winger just inside of the box which left the referee no choice but to award the spot kick. Balotelli stepped up calmly and placed the ball easily in the back of the net and placed Friedel on his backside in the process - the keeper guessing the wrong way and falling down awkwardly as the fourth goal of the day flew past him.
Aston Villa are in trouble. Still struggling with injury in the side and unable to create much going forward, the young Villans are finding life in the Premier League under Gerard Houllier very difficult yet seem to be doing very little about it. Unless City find a way to capitulate their massive 4-0 lead, they'll be top of the league for a few hours until Manchester United's trip to Birmingham City could put the Red Devils back on top.
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