Norwich City 2, Aston Villa 0 - What the nationals said

The national newspapers' views on Norwich City's 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

BBC Sport: 'It was far from a fluent attacking performance by Neil's side, who only managed four shots on target throughout. But they showed steel and patience to end Villa's resistance.'

The Guardian: 'If David Cameron really does support Aston Villa, as he sometimes claims, then what a lovely first day on the job this was for the new Norwich City chairman, Ed Balls. The former shadow chancellor watched Jonny Howson and Dieumerci Mbokani score the goals that boosted his team's chances of ending the campaign triumphantly and cut the fallen Midlands aristocrats further adrift at the bottom of the table.'

The Independent: 'Rémi Garde's team worked hard enough in their efforts to build on the draws against Newcastle and West Ham, in which they won praise for showing some fighting spirit but rarely threatened to score goals and were punished twice for their shortcomings in defence as Norwich ran out comfortable winners without needing to play particularly well. The clean sheet was only their second of the season.'

The Telegraph: 'Villa's confidence seemed to ebb away as the match progressed. Apart from Ayew's header, they did not create a chance of note. Garde's half-time words at least prompted a vigorous response yet quality was lacking.'

And from The Birmingham Mail: 'There was pushing and shoving near the dugouts in the closing stages after Ashley Westwood sent Redmond flying, but to be honest, that was the most fight Garde's Championship bound strugglers could muster.

Norwich City will survive this season and it looks likely that Villa won't, in many ways it is hard to fathom, are Norwich a better team than Villa? They shouldn't be, but yes, they are. Nothing that Norwich did had any sparkle, any flair, or brilliance. Their guile and determination won the day.'