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Manchester City fans who were at Villa Park may one day look back on this day as the start of the road to greatness for a certain 19-year-old.

Kelechi Iheanacho walked away with the match ball for his hat-trick, and the chants of nearly 6,000 City fans ringing in his ears, as City eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The Nigerian was not just about goals, however. It was his touch hold-up play and vision which caught the eye even more, although his assist for Raheem Sterling’s goal was a little fortunate.

After that performance, he surely has to move above Wilfried Bony in the pecking order – the Ivorian has not seized a chance in such a spectacular, effective manner.

Watch: City fans at Villa Park sing their new Kelechi Iheanacho song below

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Is early goal set the Blues up nicely for an afternoon of counter-attacking led by the pace of Sterling and Navas, and with kelechi as an exceptional pivot.

The watching Sergio Aguero must feel excited about the prospect of linking up with this kid again. They could lay teams to waste.