Norwich City v Aston Villa team news and stats

Carlos Sanchez: A big blow for Aston Villa

Carlos Sanchez: A big blow for Aston Villa

Norwich have scored in all but two of their 27 league meetings with Aston Villa at home, but the visitors have won the last three encounters.

Team news

Norwich duo Wes Hoolahan and Gary O’Neil are both expected to return for Monday’s crunch relegation clash at home to Aston Villa.

Hoolahan and O’Neil were both rested for the defeat to Tottenham on Boxing Day, while Andre Wisdom is hoping to overcome a hamstring strain.

Matt Jarvis is close to recovering from a knee injury but the match at Carrow Road is likely to come too soon for the 29-year-old.

Carlos Sanchez is out of Aston Villa’s crucial game at Norwich with a hamstring injury.

The midfielder limped off in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham, being replaced by Carles Gil, and will be assessed ahead of the weekend’s trip to Sunderland, but will not make the trip to Norfolk.

Micah Richards is close to a return from a knee injury and the skipper could feature at Carrow Road on Monday, while Jordan Amavi (knee) is a long-term absentee. Gabby Agbonlahor, Charles N’Zogbia and Libor Kozak are available, but are struggling to break into boss Remi Garde’s team.

Opta stats

  • The Canaries have scored in all but two of their 27 league meetings with Aston Villa at home.
  • Aston Villa have won their last three league meetings with Norwich City – they have never won four in a row in league competition versus the Canaries.
  • Gabriel Agbonlahor has had a hand in six goals (three goals, three assists) in six Premier League appearances against Norwich.
  • Norwich City haven’t won their final league game in a calendar year since 2010; losing in 2014, 2013 and 2012 and drawing in 2011.
  • The last time that Aston Villa ended a calendar year with a league victory was in 2011, when they won 3-1 away at Chelsea on New Year’s Eve.
  • Aston Villa have won just three of their last 12 Premier League games against newly-promoted opposition (W3 D3 L6).
  • The Canaries have netted just four goals in their last five Premier League games at Carrow Road, three of which have been scored from corners.
  • Since winning away at Bournemouth on MD1, Aston Villa have picked up just two points in eight Premier League away games in 2015-16 (D2 L6).
  • Villa have drawn their last two Premier League away games – they haven’t gone three away games in a row unbeaten in the competition since December 2014.
  • Jordan Ayew has now scored in five of his last nine league games for Aston Villa (five goals).