Norwich City 3-1 Aston Villa: Maddison Deals Villans A Blow
Norwich City dashed Aston Villa’s chances of automatic promotion by beating them 3-1 at Carrow Road. The game started brightly and Josh Murphy put the Canaries ahead on the stroke of halftime. After the break, Dennis Srbeny put Norwich up by two goals before Villa pulled one back through Jack Grealish.
The final word came from James Maddison, who fired into the corner to seal the points for David Farke’s side. Villa had the chance to close the gap on Cardiff and Fulham but they never got going against a strong Norwich side. Here is how the Norwich players fared.
Norwich Player Ratings
Angus Gunn – 6.5
Couldn’t do anything about the Villa goal but will be disappointed to have conceded.
Jamal Lewis – 6.5
Was a willing runner all game but found himself pegged back as Villa pressed.
Timm Klose – 7
The German marshalled the Villa attackers well and was a threat during set-pieces.
Grant Hanley – 7.5
Grant Hanley repeatedly put his body on the line for his side. A real show of character.
Ivo Pinto – 7
A good passer of the ball. Should have provided better delivery into the box.
Alex Tettey – 7
Veteran Alex Tettey is the perfect destroyer and he kept Grealish and Hourihane quiet. Put in an impressive defensive shift for his side.
Harrison Reed – 7
The on-loan Southampton midfielder kept the ball well and his range of passing is very good for a player at this level.
Josh Murphy – 8.5
Got the game’s opening goal in the first-half stoppage time to put Norwich in the lead.
Mario Vrancic – 7
Vrancic had a solid game. His ability to hold on to the ball in tight situations and release his teammates was useful in a close game like this.
James Maddison – 8
He showed the kind of class that will surely get him a move to a bigger club. Took his goal very well and has been a shining light in a disappointing season for Norwich.
Dennis Srbeny – 7.5
Will be happy to have got on the scoresheet for Norwich and should improve towards the end of the season.
Substitutes
Christoph Zimmerman (for Maddison) – 6
Got ten minutes under his belt and showed flashes of his quality.
Wes Hoolihan (for Reed) – N/A
Came on for a few minutes towards the end of the game.
Nelson Oliveira (for Srbeny) – N/A
Only had five minutes to play.