Aston Villa face defensive concerns ahead of Norwich match

Paul Lambert teams are about hunger. He likes lower-league experience, hard workers, unproven players desperate to make a name for themselves (Getty Images)

Aston Villa are facing a potential centre-back injury crisis for the home Barclays Premier League clash with manager Paul Lambert's former club Norwich.

Richard Dunne (groin) is definitely ruled out while Nathan Baker (ankle) and Ciaran Clark (knee) will be assessed later today.

Matt Lowton is on stand-by to switch into the centre with Eric Lichaj in contention to earn a recall as his replacement at right-back as Villa look to improve on a record of one win in 18 league games.

Provisional squad: Guzan, Given, Lowton, Bennett, Lichaj, Clark, Vlaar, Baker, Herd, El Ahmadi, Ireland, Westwood, Bannan, Delph, Holman, N'Zogbia, Bent, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Bowery, Weimann, Burke, Johnson, Williams.

PA