Norwich boss Paul Lambert warned his men have to cut out the defensive lapses after today's 3-2 Premier League defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Darren Bent's brace sandwiched around Gabby Agbonlahor's strike just after half-time consigned the Canaries to defeat. Anthony Pilkington's sublime free kick had put Norwich in front before Bent slotted Agbonlahor's inch perfect cross.

The pacy Villa academy product then pounced on Leon Barnett's woeful back pass to beat John Ruddy in a block challenge before rolling into the net on 48 minutes. Agbonlahor turned provider again for Bent to slot from close range before Steve Morison's second in consecutive matches teed up a grandstand finish.

'The thing about us is we don't stop, we keep on going,' said Lambert. 'That is there in abundance but we can't give goals like that away. Especially when you have a foothold in the game at 1-1. It was a silly goal just after half-time which puts you on the back foot and then you are down to 3-1. We kept on going. That ball has to go into row Z, right in the stands. There is no grey area there. The pass back initially was the mistake. You have to kick it where he can't score from it. I'm sure Leon will learn if it does happen again. His general game is very good - just that general mistake.

'To be fair they have that hunger and that desire to kick on in abundance but you can't give away goals like we did every week and expect to keep coming back.'