Michael Turner is mobbed by Robert Snodgrass after his equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Paul Lambert's Aston Villa. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

Norwich City boss Chris Hughton rues dropped points in Premier League draw at Aston Villa

Paddy Davitt, EDP Sports Writer Saturday, October 27, 2012
3:50 PM

Chris Hughton admitted Norwich City should have claimed a first Premier League away win of the campaign at Paul Lambert’s ten-man Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.

Michael Turner’s superb late glancing header cancelled out Christian Benteke’s first half opener but the hosts were indebted to keeper Brad Guzan who denied Wes Hoolahan and Grant Holt in either half.

Hughton was content with the point following last week’s welcome home win over Arsenal, but the City chief felt it could have been the full house after Villa were reduced to ten men for the final 40 minutes when defender Joe Bennett was dismissed for a second yellow card after hauling back Elliott Bennett.

“Yes, I do think we could have got all three points,” he said. “I think if it is 0-0 then it is different but when you are 1-0 down you are always delighted to get back into the game. If it was 0-0 and we had the chances we had at the end then you are probably more disappointed. It was a real opportunity for us but you have to give (Aston) Villa credit. They had to defend it and they did it sufficiently. You could almost look at the game, apart from possession and the balance of play in the final third, you could almost look at it as three clear-cut chances. They had one they put away with (Christian) Benteke and we had arguably two just as good with Holty and Wes. We stuck in the game and came out with a real good attitude in the second half and we forced the issue. I think I would have been confident enough we would have got back into the game even against 11 men on the park.”

Former Norwich boss Lambert felt Bennett’s sending off was pivotal after watching his side prolong the club’s worst start to a season since 1986.

“I think that was key. We were defending quite strongly and we were brilliant defensively. I thought Elliott was holding him just as much so it could have gone either way,” he said. “When I first saw it I thought he had put himself in a position he didn’t need to with him already being booked but Elliott had a hold of Joe as well. It was an even contest. The lad is disappointed but he will learn from it. He’ll be fine. He’ll mull over it for a couple of days. We’ll be alright.

“I just think we will. I have total belief in the players. We have some big games coming up but you won’t need to lift anybody. They will raise the bar.”

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16 comments

That one was there for the taking. Villa were shockingly poor and we seemed to be dragged down to their level a bit. Needed to put on our "we`re playing a top team" head. Having said that, Guzan saved it for Villa. On that showing, Hoots is making better progress than Lambo just now. Still a way to go though.

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Mad Brewer

Monday, October 29, 2012
At last we are playing with width and getting the ball into the middle. Should have bought Jarvis from Wolves.

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Gazza

Monday, October 29, 2012
You're getting there Mr Hughton!.... I think you should give Pilkington a rest though, and play Snodgrass on the LEFT wing.

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Pa Snipps

Sunday, October 28, 2012
definately 2 points dropped.villa were poor,city not much better.hope ch has them doing set pieces and crossing in training because that was awful.would like to see fox in midfield alongside tettey as he seems the only player who can give a killer pass.Not long till january now so please ch,a striker please!

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tonyb

Sunday, October 28, 2012
We will never have a better chance to stay in the P.League but i realy worry our lack of goals will cost us dearly.Great display at Villa but thats 2pts dropped there,also W Ham and QPR.You simply have to take these chances when they come along more than we are at the moment.We are so close to being an established PL team but just as close to throwing it all away for the sake of quality striker.If Holt stays fit,great....but who else is there to help that anyone would bet on getting more than 10 goals ??? Discuss.....

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woodfarm canary

Sunday, October 28, 2012
Snoddy - the one-man mob!

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The Crab

Sunday, October 28, 2012
Look on the bright side, a point away at Villa this season, last term we lost at Villa and yes, they were as bad last season! Wes plays, Norwich get something from the game, a game Norwich should have won. Wes has to play, Norwich has always been a club that has tried to play the game the right way, pass and move, no reason why that should not continue.

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RoadWarrior

Sunday, October 28, 2012
If only Norwich could get the money together to buy D Bent in January. I suspect somebody will be getting him, clearly he is not in the plans at AV. OTBC

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Duncan Forbes

Sunday, October 28, 2012
It only needs Holt to get injured & then we all know what will happen to City---perhapes we should buy another goalkeeperdefendermidfielder.

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superfan59

Sunday, October 28, 2012
we should have buried them...but the stats don't lie: villa 7 shots 4 on target, city 17 shots 4 on target. we cant rely on holty all the time.

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lordyfan

Sunday, October 28, 2012
Still think we could do with having maybe fox and Tettey or Johnson with fox, we need a bit more through the middle and fox can make that killer pass we need!

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Barclayncfc

Sunday, October 28, 2012
On an unrelated note I see that the police have decided that Sheffield United fans were telling lies about Lee Croft and his "racist comments". I hope they decide to prosecute for wasting police time, mind what do you expect from a Warnock team?

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DocOhNo

Sunday, October 28, 2012
I don't know whether it was the new winter ball but how can so many passes be under hit and so many corners free kicks be over hit. Villa didn't have the problem.

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Lobbo

Sunday, October 28, 2012
When are refs going to give us a pen.Dowd ignored Elliott Bennett clearly shoved over in the area.A draw was the minimum required.Some of the crossing and delivery from dead balls was atrocious but except for the goal the defence does at least look more secure.Turner is proving an asset in attacking situations.OTBC.

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Peter Watson

Saturday, October 27, 2012
If we cant beat a team as poor as this, we still have problems. We dont get a high enough midfleld pass success rate. We get muscled off, and the midfield its too deep, leaving Hoolahan badly outnumbered as the only attacking midfielder. We collapsed after their against the run goal. Thank God for half time!! Snodgrass improved things, and we got a deserved point. Should have been 3

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Algarve Canary

Saturday, October 27, 2012
Two very poor teams. Villa were there for the taking in the last 35 mins but we lacked imagination and inspiration. Our passing was at times awful and our build up play was too slow and predictable, often ending in a hopeful long ball.

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malaga flier

Saturday, October 27, 2012