Norwich City manager Alex Neil felt Monday night's 2-0 win over Aston Villa was their most significant result of the season so far.

The Canaries moved three points clear of the relegation zone thanks to goals either side of half-time from Jonny Howson and Dieumerci Mbokani allowing them to shift up to 15th position on the Premier League table.

While every match is seen as important, from this stage of the campaign there is further impetus on each fixture, especially when sitting near the bottom three and Neil was well aware of this fact when assessing his side after the final whistle.

"The games snowball between now and the end of the season," he said.

"Every game's going to become more and more important. If you do pick points up it's great, it sees you clear of trouble. If you don't, then the next game becomes even bigger.

"The next 19 are going to be huge, but today has probably been our biggest game, because it takes us to that 20-point mark at halfway, and I still think there's more to come.

"I wouldn't have taken (this) at the start of the season. We're probably maybe three or four points off where I think we should be, based on some of the games we've played so far, but that gives me optimism for the next half of the season because I think we can do better."