Norwich City vs Aston Villa. Sky Bet Championship.
Carrow RoadAttendance26,044.
Tuesday 13 December 2016 18:51, UK
Two heavyweights of the Sky Bet Championship clash on Tuesday night as Norwich City host Aston Villa at Carrow Road.
The pressure is beginning to grow on Canaries boss Alex Neil, whose team have lost six of their last seven Championship games. Norwich were top of the division just eight games ago but have now slipped outside the play-off places.
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce spent three years at Norwich as a player, making 180 apps and scoring 21 goals. Since taking the reins at Villa Park his team have lost just once in nine games.
Team news
Norwich could have striker Cameron Jerome and midfielder Alex Tettey back in their squad.
The pair have missed the last two games with back and hip complaints respectively but they have returned to training.
Forward Steven Naismith missed Saturday's defeat at Barnsley with a hamstring injury but should also be back in contention, as could goalkeeper Michael McGovern (knee).
Midfielder Louis Thompson is again ruled out with a pelvic problem but Youssouf Mulumbu is pushing for a start after impressing as a half-time substitute at Oakwell.
Jack Grealish is likely to retain his place in Aston Villa's starting line-up after scoring at the weekend.
The 21-year-old midfielder fired in a late winner against Wigan on his return to Steve Bruce's starting XI.
Ross McCormack returned from a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury in the second half of Saturday's win and could feature once again on Tuesday.
Villa, who have lost just one of their last nine league games, would go above the Canaries in the table if they come out on top at Carrow Road.
Opta stats
Norwich have lost four of their last five league meetings with Aston Villa, winning 2-0 in this fixture in the Premier League last season.
This will be the first second-tier meeting between these sides since April 1975, when Aston Villa won 4-1 at Carrow Road. Both teams were promoted along with Manchester United that season.
Norwich have lost six of their last seven league outings (W1), this is after just one loss in eight beforehand (W6 D1).
No current Football League club has won fewer league matches away from home in 2016 than Aston Villa (1).
Prutton's key man
PLAYER TO WATCH: Wes Hoolahan (Norwich)
"Norwich need him now more than ever. He's got the ability and experience to produce his best stuff when it counts."
PLAYER TO WATCH: Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa)
"Villa needed a player capable of shouldering the responsibility of playing centre-midfield for such a big club, and they found one in Jedinak. He has Premier League and international experience, which is important for a team resurgent under Steve Bruce."
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