LIVE MATCH CENTRE
13 May, 2012
| Norwich City |
FT
20
|
Aston Villa |
Grant Holt 8'
1 - 0
Simeon Jackson 21'
2 - 0
HT:
2 - 0
Carrow Road (Attendance: 26,803)
Norwich City
John Ruddy
1
Kyle Naughton
25
Russell Martin
2
Ryan Bennett
33
Simon Lappin
19
Jonathan Howson
24
Bradley Johnson
4
Elliott Bennett
17
Wesley Hoolahan
14
Grant Holt
9
Simeon Jackson
10
Substitutes
Andrew Crofts
7
Steve Morison
5
Aaron Wilbraham
21
Adam Drury
3
David Fox
15
Andrew Surman
11
Jed Steer
31
Aston Villa
1
Shay Given
24
Carlos Cuellar
6
James Collins
5
Richard Dunne
30
Eric Lichaj
7
Stephen Ireland
31
Chris Herd
21
Ciaran Clark
3
Stephen Warnock
11
Gabriel Agbonlahor
18
Emile Heskey
Substitutes
32
Nathan Baker
25
Barry Bannan
38
Gary Gardner
22
Brad Guzan
10
Charles N'Zogbia
14
Nathan Delfouneso
40
Samir Carruthers
Referee: Martin Atkinson
90'
Game Over
Norwich City 2-0 Aston Villa
90'
Goal Kick
John Ruddy (Norwich City)
90'
Shot
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
90'
Shot on Target
Wesley Hoolahan (Norwich City)
90'
Throw-In
Gary Gardner (Aston Villa)
90'
Cross
Steve Morison (Norwich City)
90'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
89'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
89'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
88'
Free Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
88'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
88'
Foul
Bradley Johnson fouled by Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
85'
Cross
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
85'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
84'
Throw-In
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
84'
Throw-In
Nathan Baker (Aston Villa)
83'
Throw-In
Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)
83'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
82'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
82'
Cross
Steve Morison (Norwich City)
81'
Substitution
Nathan Baker on for Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
80'
Throw-In
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
80'
Throw-In
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
78'
Shot
Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)
78'
Cross
Gary Gardner (Aston Villa)
77'
Foul
Emile Heskey fouled by Ryan Bennett (Norwich City)
77'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
77'
Substitution
Andrew Crofts on for Jonathan Howson (Norwich City)
76'
Shot
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
76'
Cross
Steve Morison (Norwich City)
75'
Throw-In
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
74'
Goal Kick
John Ruddy (Norwich City)
74'
Shot
Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
74'
Cross
Gary Gardner (Aston Villa)
74'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
73'
Shot
Aaron Wilbraham (Norwich City)
72'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
72'
Shot on Target
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
69'
Shot
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
69'
Corner Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
69'
Substitution
Steve Morison on for Grant Holt (Norwich City)
69'
Substitution
Aaron Wilbraham on for Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
68'
Shot
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
68'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
67'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
66'
Substitution
Gary Gardner on for Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
66'
Shot
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
65'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
64'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
64'
Corner Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
64'
Shot on Target
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
62'
Shot
Russell Martin (Norwich City)
62'
Corner Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
62'
Cross
Wesley Hoolahan (Norwich City)
61'
Corner Kick
Wesley Hoolahan (Norwich City)
60'
Cross
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
60'
Shot on Target
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
60'
Cross
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
58'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
58'
Corner Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
57'
Cross
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
57'
Free Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
56'
Foul
Stephen Ireland fouled by Russell Martin (Norwich City)
56'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
55'
Cross
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
55'
Shot
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
55'
Free Kick
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
54'
Foul
Simeon Jackson fouled by Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
54'
Shot on Target
Grant Holt (Norwich City)
54'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
54'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
53'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
53'
Shot
Wesley Hoolahan (Norwich City)
53'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
52'
Throw-In
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
51'
Foul
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
51'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
50'
Corner Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
50'
Shot on Target
Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
50'
Corner Kick
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
49'
Shot on Target
Emile Heskey (Aston Villa)
49'
Shot on Target
Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
48'
Cross
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
47'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
46'
Foul
Kyle Naughton fouled by Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
46'
Start Half
46'
Substitution
Barry Bannan on for Chris Herd (Aston Villa)
45'
Half Over
Norwich City 2-0 Aston Villa
45'
Corner Kick
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
45'
Shot on Target
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
45'
Cross
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
45'
Free Kick
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
44'
Foul
Jonathan Howson fouled by James Collins (Aston Villa)
43'
Foul
Ryan Bennett fouled by Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
42'
Throw-In
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
42'
Cross
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
41'
Corner Kick
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
41'
Shot on Target
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
41'
Goal Kick
John Ruddy (Norwich City)
40'
Foul
Chris Herd fouled by Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
40'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
39'
Cross
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
39'
Cross
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
38'
Throw-In
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
38'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
37'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
37'
Cross
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
36'
Cross
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
36'
Corner Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
36'
Shot on Target
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
33'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
33'
Shot
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
32'
Offsides
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
32'
Corner Kick
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
32'
Cross
Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
31'
Throw-In
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
31'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
29'
Foul
Simon Lappin fouled by Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
28'
Throw-In
Kyle Naughton (Norwich City)
27'
Shot
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
26'
Offsides
James Collins (Aston Villa)
26'
Offsides
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
25'
Cross
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
24'
Offsides
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
24'
Cross
Wesley Hoolahan (Norwich City)
24'
Free Kick
Wesley Hoolahan (Norwich City)
23'
Foul
Wesley Hoolahan fouled by Chris Herd (Aston Villa)
22'
Shot on Target
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
21'
Goal
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
21'
Shot on Target
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
21'
Offsides
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
20'
Foul
Grant Holt fouled by Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
19'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
19'
Shot
Russell Martin (Norwich City)
19'
Corner Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
18'
Shot on Target
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
18'
Free Kick
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
18'
Foul
Simeon Jackson fouled by Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
16'
Offsides
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
15'
Cross
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
15'
Throw-In
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
13'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
13'
Corner Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
12'
Shot on Target
Jonathan Howson (Norwich City)
12'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
11'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
10'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
9'
Foul
Simeon Jackson fouled by James Collins (Aston Villa)
8'
Goal
Grant Holt (Norwich City), Assist by Bradley Johnson
8'
Shot on Target
Grant Holt (Norwich City)
8'
Cross
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
8'
Free Kick
Bradley Johnson (Norwich City)
8'
Foul
Grant Holt fouled by Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
8'
Throw-In
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
8'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Grant Holt (Norwich City)
7'
Foul
Chris Herd fouled by Grant Holt (Norwich City)
7'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
7'
Goal Kick
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
6'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
6'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
6'
Corner Kick
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
6'
Cross
Elliott Bennett (Norwich City)
5'
Cross
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
4'
Foul
Simeon Jackson (Norwich City)
4'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
3'
Goal Kick
John Ruddy (Norwich City)
3'
Shot
Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
3'
Corner Kick
Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
3'
Cross
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
2'
Throw-In
Carlos Cuellar (Aston Villa)
2'
Throw-In
Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
2'
Cross
Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
1'
Free Kick
Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
1'
Foul
Ciaran Clark fouled by Simon Lappin (Norwich City)
1'
Throw-In
Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
1'
Start Half

First-half goals from Grant Holt and Simeon Jackson have earned the three points for Norwich this afternoon. Paul Lambert and his men can reflect on a wonderful first season back in the top flight, whilst Aston Villa have to look to next season and the hope of a huge improvement.
Norwich run out comfortable winners at Carrow Road.
Martin Atkinson checks his watch. We can`t have much time to add on here.
Still 2-1 at the Etihad. Crazy, crazy, crazy nights!
Wesley Hoolahan directs traffic from the middle of the park, not allowing the visitors a touch of the ball - they`d probably only waste it anyway. Villa really have been pretty abject all game.
It`s been an assured performance for Norwich this half, but with the game won before half time, you can`t blame the home side for the defensive display they`ve put on to close this game out.
With ten minutes left, and little to play for, this game`s proving to be the short straw it always looked likely to be. Nothing happening folks.
Villa really are a chore to watch. There`s a real caution and hesitance about everything they do, and it`s causing their attacks to break down before they`ve really begun.
Emile Heskey, playing what could well be his final game in the Premier League, gets up for a header, but can`t quite keep it down.
We`re into the final 15 minutes of football up and down the country as all eyes focus on the Etihad Stadium. Norwich are still looking the better side at Carrow Road. 17 shots, ten on target, plays six shots, with five on target for Villa. You can`t argue with those figures.
Replays show the Norwich shotstopper touched that last effort from Gabby onto the post. Fine work from another Norwich playing asking questions about an England call-up.
That`s Villa`s best chance of the game, as Gabriel Agbonlahor cuts in from the right and fires his shot against the bottom of John Ruddy`s post. Almost an undeserved way back into this tie for the visitors.
QPR clearly haven`t been sent a copy of this afternoon`s script; they`ve taken a 2-1 lead at the Etihad, and leave Man City with a desperate 20 minutes to salvage the three points they need to secure the title.
Bradley Johnson tries his luck from range, but can`t keep that one down. Worrying for Villa how easily the Canaries are opening them up at the moment.
Simeon Jackson`s in the action again as he cuts in from the right, finds space to shoot and forces a top drawer save from Shay Given. He`s looking bright as a button this afternoon, is young Jackson.
He squeezes a pint and a half out of every pint. What natural ability he possesses is used to its absolute limit. No wonder the Norwich faithful want to see him in an England shirt.
After what has been a season of consistently punching well above their collective weight, what will Paul Lambert look to do over the summer to ensure his side don`t suffer the dreaded second season syndrome?
Bolton are on the way down, and United are on for their 20th title. Joey Barton has just been sent off for QPR, meaning Mark Hughes` men now have forty minutes to survive with only ten players on the park.
Bradley Johnson has a chance to shoot from a free-kick, but can`t get his effort over the wall.
It`s clear that Alex McLeish has had some stern words for his side at half time, who`ve come out for this second 45 minutes looking a lot sharper.
QPR have eualised at the Etihad, putting the red half of Manchester back to the Premier League summit.
Just the one change then for Villa. What can the second half bring for the visitors?
Second half underway here.
Barry Bannan on at half time for the departing Chris Herd.
Grant Holt gave the home side the lead with a smart header at the back post, before Simeon Jackson doubled the lead for Norwich. Villa have looked like a side short on ideas, passion, and belief - three qualities the Canaries have shown in abundance all season. Expect more of the same in the second half unless Alex McLeish can inspire a transformation. Feels about as likely as a flock of pigs blackening the Norfolk skyline this afternoon, but stranger things have happened. Perhaps...
No time to be added on, and rightly so. That`s the end of half.
Just a couple of minutes plus stoppage time to go in the first half. Norwich fans can be thoroughly content with half of a job well done.
Stephen Warnock takes the corner, and once again Norwich clear with ease.
Eric Lichaj meanders into the Norwich box, and fires a low shot that brings the best out of John Ruddy, who pushes away at the expense of a corner.
Carlos Cuellar hasn`t done a great deal this afternoon, besides costing them that second goal. On what could well be his final day with Villa, he`s not acquitting himself well at all
I don`t want to sound like a broken record, but the disparity between these two sides is so marked. Norwich fans should be proud of the side Paul Lambert`s crafted this season, but Villa fans must be wondering what their future holds...
Elliott Bennett shoots low and forces a save from Shay Given. The Canaries are looking potent, and 3-0 seems inevitable. Aston Villa`s midfield is bordering on non-existent right now.
Villa have a corner, but they waste it as John Ruddy palms away. That sums it up really; the visitors have actually enjoyed more of the possession, but have done absolutely nothing with it. A painful contrast for Villa fans who`ve had to watch Norwich create chance after chance with their meagre possession.
Simeon Jackson`s caught just offside, and the chance breaks down.
Simeon Jackson is looking lively. He`s free in the box and looks to pull the trigger, but Carlos Cuellar, at fault for the previous goal, makes amends with a timely block.
The more you look at that goal, the more it seems like a moment of brilliant gamesmanship from Grant Holt, who`s put great pressure on his man, forcing that poor header back to Shay Given, and gifting Simeon Jackson a goal. Very shrewd young sir. GRANT HOLT FOR ENGLAND?1?!
Dreadful defending really. A long ball into the box is nodded back towards Given, but lacks the pace, and provides the simplest of chances for Simeon Jackson to double Norwich`s lead
Simeon Jackson grabs Norwich`s second of the afternoon
United are leading at the Stadium of Light, putting them clear at the top as it stands. It can`t last, can it?
Norwich are looking lethal when they find some width to play with. Russell Martin shoots from a loose ball, but can`t find the target.Only one side in it at the moment.
Simon Lappin drives a shot goalwards; that`ll need dealing with by Shay Given, and he proves himself more than up to the task.
Norwich are simply better than their opponenets right now. They`re looking half a yard quicker to the loose ball, and infinitely more creative once they get it. How long until the chants of `McLeish out` start up from the small but highly vocal away support?
Grant Holt scrambles the ball home from inside the six-yard box to break the deadlock at Carrow Road, and give the home side an early lead. 1-O to the Canaries.
Grant Holt forces referee Martin Atkinson to dig into his pockets for the first time. It`s a yellow for the big man.
Quiet start at Carrow Road. Understandable really.
Stephen Ireland shoots for the visitors, but can`t find the target. Would it be harsh to say he`s not really lived up to his billing this season?
Villa are nine games without a win, Norwich are one point from twelve; neither side bringing sparkling form to this final game of the season.
The ball`s rolling at Carrow Road.
Martin Atkinson of Bradford, West Yorkshire, takes charge of proceedings at Carrow Road. The more anal of Villa fans may recall Atkinson awarding the Villains a late, and undeserved penalty in a 2010 derby game against Birmingham, giving Villa victory by a goal to nil.
Villa could well be missing Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey this afternoon, with rib and ankle injuries respectively. Andreas Weimann and Darren Bent are confirmed absentees for Alex McLeish. Alan Hutton (ankle) misses out, meaning James Collins is likely to start.
It's a depleted Norwich that welcome Villa to Carrow Road this afternoon, with Zak Whitbread, Daniel Ayala, and Marc Tierney all sidelined. Left-back Adam Drury is also doubtful with a groin strain.
In an afternoon of potential high drama up and down the country, Carrow Road plays host to a fixture seemingly without consequence for either club, and indeed for those around them. With Villa's Premier League status all but secured with their scrappy draw against Spurs, and Norwich sitting comfortably just below mid-table, one could be forgiven for seeing this fixture as dead on arrival. But Norwich have taken just one point form their last twelve, and will be desperate to finish the season on a high after an impressive campaign, whilst Alex McLeish will know that a defeat against newly promoted Norwich could prove the final nail in the coffin for a man who has failed to win over Villa supporters in his time with the club.