Premier League: Norwich v Aston Villa match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Carrow Road

Christian Benteke celebrates scoring a hat-trick against Sunderland (GETTY IMAGES)

Two sides still battling to beat the drop meet at Carrow Road on Saturday with Norwich taking on Aston Villa.

Chris Hughton’s side had looked well on the way to survival before one win in eight games has seen the Canaries dragged back into it.

Villa on the other hand are on the up following two wins and a draw in April, topped off with their 6-1 thrashing of Sunderland on Monday night.

Christian Benteke’s hat-trick moved him to 18 Premier League goals in his debut season as well as making him the club’s record goalscorer in a Premier League season.

The victory lifted Villa to 16th, moving ahead of Newcastle on goal difference and joining Sunderland on 37 points.

It will be the second time this season that former Norwich manager Paul Lambert has taken his new side to Carrow Road following their 4-1 victory in this season’s Capital One Cup.

KICK-OFF:Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Norwich 1 (Morison) Aston Villa 4 (Holman, Weimann 2, Benteke), Capital One Cup, December 2012

Aston Villa 1 (Benteke) Norwich 1 (Turner), Premier League, October 2012

Norwich 2 (Holt, Jackson) Aston Villa 0, Premier League, May 2012

STATS…

Norwich have not lost a home league match in 2013 following seven unbeaten games. Their last home defeat came against Manchester City on December 29.

Only Chelsea (2), Manchester Utd (2), Everton (1) and Manchester City (1) have lost fewer home games than Norwich this season who have lost on three occasions.

Former Norwich manager Paul Lambert won on his only visit to Carrow Road since leaving the club, with his new side claiming a 4-1 success in this season’s Capital One Cup.

Aston Villa have claimed 46 per cent of their total of 37 Premier League points on their travels this season following four victories (Stoke, Reading, Liverpool and Sunderland) and five draws (Everton, West Brom, Swansea, QPR and Newcastle) away from Villa Park.

ODDS…

Norwich to win: 2.58

Aston Villa to win: 3.05

Draw: 3.45

CLASSIC MATCH...

In 1975 Aston Villa defeated Norwich City 1-0 in the League Cup final. Winger Ray Graydon scored the only goal in the game with a rebound after seeing his penalty tipped onto the post by Kevin Keelan. The match was also notable for the fact it is the only time a major domestic cup final has been contested at Wembley between two sides outside the top-flight.

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.