Report & Ratings: Norwich 1-5 Aston Villa – Emphatic thrashing shows Villa’s potential

Oh what a difference a week makes.

After enduring the anti-football of Burnley and dissappointment of defeat to ten man Arsenal, there was sudden emphasis upon a tricky trip to Norwich.

Villa siezed upon a poor Norwich, mercilessly embarassing them on their own pitch, a defeat that sends The Canaries tumbling into the relegation zone.

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Villa’s first came after good work from El Ghazi out wide.

A clever angled ball was chipped by the Belgian into the box, expertly controlled by Wesley, who coolly slotted the opener into the bottom corner.

A fine start.

The second came after a burst from Grealish, interplay between Targett and Hourihane, before the ball was squared to Wesley.  The Brazilian had timed his run perfectly, his reward, a tap in.

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It could have been a third for Villa and Wesley after Hourihane was tripped in the penalty area.

Wesley saw his effort saved by Norwich’s third choice ‘keeper, with the rebound sailing over the bar.  Ooops.

The second half saw Villa finally show the ruthless, clinical edge we’ve been crying out for.

Grealish was allowed the freedom of Carrow Road to advance, before a quick one two with El Ghazi, with Jack curling home a first time effort to make it 3-0.

The fourth came after pressure from Targett, dispossessing on the edge of the Norwich box.  The ball was quickly stolen by Hourihane, with the Irishman unleashing a fierce drive into the net.

It was a fine goal and fully deserved by Hourihane, who has now scored in every one of the top four divisions of English football.

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The fifth came after loose play in the middle of the park from the hosts, who now looked battle weary.

Grealish and Wesley harried, before releasing the ball to substitute Douglas Luiz.

Luiz wasted no time, curling a spectacular effort into the top corner from outside of the box to make it 5-0.

Norwich did manage to fashion a consolation.  This came after the otherwise superb Mings sold Heaton short with a lofted backpass.

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This win, emphatic as it was, underlines the potential within this Villa side.

It also, after a few false starts, inspires hope that we can consolidate in our first season back in the Premier League.

Whilst Norwich were struggling with injuries, this wasn’t a team with huge changes in personnel from that which defeated Manchester City.

The result also serves to illustrate the fragile squads and limitations of sides around us, which is something that we must use to our advantage.

The victory lifts us to 14th on 8 points and gives us a massive boost of confidence ahead of a similarly important meeting with Brighton (13th – 9 Points).

We must carry this ruthlessness forward, continue to take our chances and on this showing; who knows where it might lead us?