Norwich City have eased some pressure before the turn of the year by defeating Aston Villa 2-0 at Carrow Road on Monday night.
A 24th-minute volley from Jonny Howson gave Alex Neil's side the lead before Dieumerci Mbokani's emphatic header from a pinpoint Wes Hoolahan cross in the 87th minute wrapped it up for the Norfolk club.
The victory, Norwich's second in three outings, sees the Canaries move up to 15th on the Premier League table while Remi Garde's Villa remained rooted to the foot of the standings having not won since opening day.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Norwich City: 2 (Jonny Howson 24', Dieumerci Mbokani 87')
Aston Villa: 0
Carrow Road, Norwich - 27,071
TALKING POINTS
- A much-needed win for Norwich is the perfect tonic heading into the New Year. Neil has a strong spirit within his group who are definitely capable of pulling away from the mire.
- Another loss for Garde and Villa. They have certainly improved under the Frenchman but the results are just not going their way.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Norwich next host Southampton on Saturday in their first fixture of 2016 as Villa for a proverbial six-pointer with second-bottom Sunderland.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Good win and 20 points at half way!! Onwards and upwards! #ncfc
— Gary O'Neil (@Gazoneil) December 28, 2015Rémi Garde: “We didn't create enough opportunities to put Norwich under pressure." #AVFC
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) December 28, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Norwich's Neil on the magnitude of the win:
"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."
Villa boss Garde on the situation his side faces:
"I'm realistic but we have to carry on. I think the spirit that we showed in the last two games was not as bad as the results."
