The Canaries currently sit in 14th position in the table, just one point above their opponents at the weekend, who recorded a morale-boosting 6-1 win over Sunderland on Monday evening.

Reading and Queens Park Rangers have already dropped out of the division, but there are just three points separating 17th from 11th position in the table.

Villa certainly enter the match in the better form having taken 10 points from their last six matches, while Norwich have registered just five in the same period. However, Chris Hughton's side have lost just three of their 17 matches at Carrow Road this season.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park in November, but Norwich were 2-0 winners the last time they hosted Villa in the league last May.

Norwich could ring the chances with Javier Garrido, Anthony Pilkington and Elliot Bennett also pushing for recalls, but Hughton is expected to continue with Kei Kamara and leading scorer Grant Holt in attack.

Bradley Johnson is also fit despite a knock, but Luciano Becchio will have to be content with a place on the bench once more.

Villa boss Paul Lambert, meanwhile, could continue with the same side that overcame Sunderland on Monday. Christian Benteke, fresh from his hat-trick, should lead the line once more with Darren Bent on the bench.

Yacouba Sylla is a doubt with a foot injury, however, with Charles N'Zogbia and Brett Holman both on standby to take his place.

Recent form

Norwich: LDLWL

Villa: LWDLW

Possible lineups

Norwich: Bunn; Martin, Bassong, R Bennett, Garrido; Johnson, Snodgrass, Howson, Pilkington; Kamara, Holt

Villa: Guzan; Bennett, Vlaar, Baker, Lowton; Westwood, Delph; Weimann, Sylla, Agbonlahor; Benteke

Sports Mole says: 1-1