Norwich City 0-2 Aston Villa: Heroes, villains & player ratings as Villa get back to winning ways

Aston Villa got back to winning ways and heaped more misery on former manager Dean Smith with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Jacob Ramsey’s superb solo goal put the visitors in front midway through the first-half before Ollie Watkins wrapped things up with a close range finish late in the second.

Villa started the better and nearly took the lead through John McGinn whose well hit shot was tipped over by the fingertips of Tim Krul.

‘Olay’s were coming from the travelling Villans as their side continued to boss possession in the early stages and they were rewarded for their patience just after the half hour mark.

Ramsey latched onto an Ollie Watkins through ball and ran unchallenged for 30 or 40 yards before making his way into the box and firing a stunning effort past the Canaries keeper.

McGinn nearly doubled the lead right before the break when he cheekily tried to catch Krul out direct from a corner but the Dutchman was able to scramble back and punch over his bar.

The home side should have equalised right after the restart when Kenny McLean pounced on a misplaced backpass by Ashley Young but he slipped at the crucial time, sparing the veteran’s blushes and gaining some of his own.

But Villa were able to deservedly kill the game off in the final 10 minutes.

Substitute Carney Chukwuemeka picked the ball up and played an inch perfect pass across the box to Watkins who tapped the ball home from close range.

Villa are up to ninth, Norwich stay bottom.

Heroes

• John McGinn

McGinniesta may not have got a goal or assist to his name on the night but his all round performance was superb.

From minute one he set the tone and forced Krul into two world class saves in the first half alone.

He’s been one of the more consistent performers since match day one this season but since Steven Gerrards’s arrival, his performances have really gone up another level.

• Jacob Ramsey (& his celebration)

His excellent strike got Villa on their way on a night in which he provided yet another all round solid performance.

He took his goal like in a similar manner to his manager would have back in his prime and the finish was only bettered by his celebration. Straight to the Villa fans, kissing the badge and taking in all the limbs in front of him.

Villains

• Norwich City

Norwich. Just Norwich in general.

Aston Villa were good tonight, they really were. But as good as they were, Norwich were woeful.

Too good for the Championship and not good enough for the Premier League. It’s not enjoyable at this point, surely?

Player ratings

Norwich City (4-3-3): Krul 7.5*; Aarons 6, Kabak 6 (45’ Byram 5), Gibson 5, Williams 6; Gilmour 5, Sorensen 6, McLean 5; Placheta 6 (75’ Dowell N/A), Pukki 5, Cantwell 5 (61’ Idah 6.5)

Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martinez 7; Cash 7, Konsa 7, Mings 7, Targett 7; McGinn 9* (88’ Tuanzebe N/A) Luiz 7, Ramsey 8.5, Buendia 7 (83’ Chukwuemeka N/A), Watkins 8, Young 6 (59’ Ings 6)

Next up

Aston Villa are back at Villa Park on Saturday December 18 to take on Sean Dyche’s Burnley in a 15:00 kick-off.

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