Aston Villa’s seemingly never-ending winless run finally came to an end thanks to a 2-0 victory over Norwich City at Villa Park.
Danny Ings was the difference maker on the day. His forced introduction towards the end of the first-half in place of the injured Leon Bailey turned into a blessing in disguise as he bagged himself an assist and goal.
It was a result desperately needed after a miserable last month for the claret & blue but one that had consequences for former manager Dean Smith and Norwich City, who were relegated at full-time.
A game that will certainly not live long in the memory but a win is a win.
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Mings, Chambers, Digne; Ramsey, Iroegbunam (73’ Luiz), McGinn; Bailey (40’ Ings), Watkins, Coutinho (76’ Buendia)
Subs not used: Olsen, Konsa, Traore, Young, Nakamba, Chukwuemeka
Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Krul; Aarons, Byram, Hanley, Dowell, Normann, Rashica (77’ Rowe), Lees-Melou (67’ Sargent) (81’ Rupp), Williams, Pukki, Gilmour
Subs not used: Gunn, Gibson, Placheta, Sorensen, Giannoulis
1. Emi Martinez - 7
Didn’t have too much to do but denied Rashica with a superb finger-tip save in the first-half.
2. Matty Cash - 6
A big shift from the Polish Cafu without doing anything too spectacular.
3. Tyrone Mings - 7
Solid display at the back for Mings who bullied the Norwich forwards all day. Photo: Eddie Keogh
4. Calum Chambers - 6
Probably did enough to earn himself a start next time out.