Aston Villa have defeated Norwich City in the Premier League's early kickoff.

Libor Kozak scored his first goal since joining Villa in the summer to seal a 1-0 victory.

A quick start to the match almost saw goals at both ends, but Andreas Weimann could only find the outside of the post with his curling effort, before Robert Snodgrass saw his penalty saved after Ciaran Clark had handled the ball inside the box.

Christian Benteke then fired inches wide after seeing his dangerous cross miss everyone in the box, as Villa started to come into the game more.

Their Belgian striker had to be replaced shortly afterwards but substitute Kozak made an instant impact.

The Czech striker fired in from Gabriel Agbonlahor's square pass having seen his initial effort saved by John Ruddy.

In the second half Snodgrass tried to make up for his failed penalty, bursting into the box and firing the ball across the box, but Brad Guzan again thwarted him, pushing it wide.

The hosts continued to push for an equaliser but it was Villa who almost scored the second goal when Leandro Bacuna's corner found Clark in the box; however, the defender's header was horribly misdirected.

Clark made up for his miss minutes later, throwing himself in front of Ricky van Wolfswinkel's effort when the Canaries striker had found space in the middle of the box.

Guzan then made an excellent save in the final few minutes, acrobatically tipping over Gary Hooper's volley to ensure that Villa took all three points.