Norwich City and Aston Villa are goalless after a hard-fought first 45 minutes at Carrow Road.

Both sides struggled to create chances in a frantic opening, with Andreas Weimann finally testing Mark Bunn with a low strike that required a strong save.

Villa were then forced to make an early change as Mattew Lowton was taken off with a thigh problem, ending his run of playing every minute in the Premier League this season for Paul Lambert's side.

Eric Lichaj quickly came on to deputise at full-back, with Norwich unable to profit as Robert Snodgrass failed to deliver with a free kick just outside the penalty area.

Javier Garrido then sent a dangerous curling cross into the box, with Grant Holt just unable to make proper contact with a diving header that went well wide of the target.

Villa then went close with a touch of fortune before the break, with Gabriel Agbonlahor's deflected cross clipping the woodwork after taking a touch off Garrido.

Christian Beneteke was kept largely quiet by the home side as a frustrating first period ended in stalemate.