Paddy's Pointers: Five observations from City 0-2 Aston Villa

1. Mitigation or excuses?

Both in the final analysis. Dean Smith’s bid to get the better of his old club was hit by a fresh wave of injuries and Covid-related absences. Nine senior players unavailable at kick-off became a round 10 in the first half when Ozan Kabak was unable to continue.

There was a sluggishness, a tiredness and a laboured stamp through City’s limp efforts prior to the interval. Maybe a reflection of the huge effort expended against Manchester United, coupled with a vibrancy from Aston Villa.

For most of the second period, City at least threatened to make it a contest without the attacking punch that is now a growing problem for Smith. Billy Gilmour’s wayward attempted pass triggered a devastating Villa counter that enabled Ollie Watkins to seal the victory.

That was the cue for many home fans to head for the exits. The final whistle brought a smattering of boos from some of those who remained. This was a dispiriting display. City appear unable to catch a break off the park or find a spark on it. Smith knew the size of the task when he arrived. It is much bigger now.

2. Will the last one out, turn off the light

Norwich City’s previous Premier League tilt under Daniel Farke contained a central defensive crisis the like of which they would surely never have to experience again. Wrong. Shorn of Grant Hanley and Andrew Omobamidele for the festive period, and with Christoph Zimmermann still some way from a first team recall after ankle surgery, Smith had the relative luxury of bringing Ben Gibson back in alongside Kabak for Villa’s visit.

Gibson, himself, missed out against Manchester United with a tight thigh. But moments before the interval, with the home crowd baying for Kabak to inject some urgency, the big Schalke loan defender turned and played the ball out of play before dropping to the floor. You could not make it up.

The Turkish international departed shortly afterwards, leaving Jacob Sorensen’s fabled versatility to get another outing.

That previous Premier League quest saw Farke having to deploy two midfielders in a makeshift central defence in Ibrahim Amadou and Alex Tettey. So rest assured it can still get worse from here.

Smith will now hope Kabak can be patched up for West Ham. This is a crucial phase of Norwich’s season. For the ‘curse’ to return borders on cruelty.

3. Drought

That is now one goal in the last five Premier League games under Smith. The City boss needed no telling on Monday, when he previewed his old club’s visit, such meagre output ends in a bumpy return to the Premier League.

Smith, understandably, has been keen to publicly back his troops in their quest for more goals. He feels there are ‘finishers’ at his disposal. But take Pukki out of the equation and Norwich look toothless and weak in the final third.

Even when Kenny McLean pounced on Ashley Young’s wayward back pass there was a lack of conviction and technique and composure in the hurried manner he tried to help it on past Emi Martinez.

Smith has hinted this may be a psychological issue as much as a quality deficit. Whatever it is, Smith either finds the answer from within the building. Or Stuart Webber has to beg, borrow or steal the funds to make a desperate foray in the January transfer window.

All that positivity and improved performances, over the entire body of work under Smith, is scant reward if City are unable to stick the ball in the back of the net.

4. Bravo Byram

At least Byram was the beneficiary of Kabak’s departure. What emotions must have been coursing through his veins as he entered the field of play.

A first senior appearance in Norwich colours since a hamstring injury against Liverpool on the Premier League stage in February 2020. The comeback has been long, painful and must surely have contained moments of doubt and despair when Byram himself must have questioned could he ever return to the big time. Not only that but in an unaccustomed holding midfield role.

It is a testament to his character and the tireless work of City’s medical and sports science teams that he was able to return. Smith said prior to the Manchester United defeat it was too soon to fast-track him into the first team fold.

But needs must. Smith is now dealing in emergency rations and in Byram, as he himself noted, there is the feel of a new addition to the squad. A quality player who perhaps through injury has never been able to fulfil his true potential.

Prior to start of his nightmare Byram was arguably City’s best performer at this level two years ago. For now it is enough he is back and hopefully pain and injury free from here.

The body certainly held up when he shunted over Tyrone Mings to earn a second half booking. Byram, more than most, deserves a shot at staking a claim for greater involvement.

5. Oh Emi

The announcement of his name prior to kick-off triggered more applause than boos. Emi Buendia was a gem in green and yellow. But he wanted to go and Villa wanted to put down the sort of money that turned heads at Carrow Road.

That is the business of football. City plucked a nobody from the Spanish third tier and gave him the stage to showcase a prodigious talent.

Smith’s wish, when pressed on how City fans should mark his return, was to show him the respect he deserved. In sharp contrast to the recent catcalls that greeted Jack Grealish back at Villa Park.

The City chief got his wish. Once the game was underway Buendia was a footnote. There was certainly no sympathy when he collapsed in front of the Villa dug out, after a stiff second half challenge from Adam Idah. Max Aarons shut the door to block one low angled effort. There were a few glimpses of that close control and assured passing, but none of the headlines he would have craved, and City fans feared.

The announcement of his late substitution triggered more applause, and louder boos.

Now those same Norwich supporters can watch his career from afar and see whether Buendia, under the demanding Steven Gerrard, can take his game to the next level. Or whether the Canaries got the best out of him.