Norwich City head coach Daniel Farke has made four changes to his starting XI for this lunchtime's Championship clash with high-flying Aston Villa.

Timm Klose and Jamal Lewis return in defence in place of Christoph Zimmermann and James Husband, who both start on the bench.

Alex Tettey also returns in midfield, in place of Wes Hoolahan, and Dennis Srbeny replaces Nelson Oliveira on the bench. Midfielder Moritz Leitner returns to the bench after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Canaries have won just one of their last 10 games following a 2-0 home loss to Fulham and 4-1 defeat at QPR either side of the Easter weekend.

That leaves them 14th but with the potential to climb to 12th – and above Ipswich – with victory in the day's early Championship kick-off. Defeat would leave them vulnerable to slipping to 15th, if QPR win at Hull, although relegation is not a worry.

The visitors are unchanged, with former City player-of-the-season Rob Snodgrass starting and three other former Canaries players on the bench in Mark Bunn, Henri Lansbury and Lewis Grabban.

Villa have won 11 of their last 16 matches and shook off a three-game winless wobble with a 3-0 home win over Reading in midweek, to remain within seven points of the automatic promotion places.

Only Fulham and Wolves have managed more than the 64 goals Steve Bruce's side have scored in 40 games and only Wolves and Cardiff have conceded fewer than the 37 they have conceded.

The visitors have sold out their allocation of 2,000 tickets for the 12.30pm kick-off, which is being shown live on Sky Sports.

Norwich: Gunn; Pinto (C), Hanley, Klose, Lewis; Tettey, Reed; Vrancic, Maddison, Murphy; Srbeny. Subs: McGovern (GK), Zimmermann, Husband, Leitner, Hoolahan, Edwards, Oliveira

Villa: Johnstone, Elmohamady, Chester, Terry (C), Taylor; Bjarnason; Snodgrass, Hourihane, Grealish, Adomah; Hogan. Subs: Bunn (GK), Whelan, Lansbury, Jedinak, Onomah, Kodjia, Grabban

MATCH PREVIEW

City team news

Onel Hernandez has suffered a setback in his return from a hamstring injury and is ruled out of the next two games. Marley Watkins (sickness) is also unavailable for Villa's visit. Moritz Leitner is expected to be in the matchday squad today after his hamstring injury. Marco Stiepermann will not be risked following his hernia operation. Tom Trybull (ankle) is back in light training as he looks to return before the end of the season. Matt Jarvis and Louis Thompson are longer term absentees.

Villa team news

Jonathan Kodjia is available after his long term ankle injury. Glenn Whelan (calf) is training again. Villans' boss Steve Bruce indicated yesterday Alan Hutton is out with a hamstring problem.

Villa manager – Steve Bruce

Fondly remembered in these parts for his playing career at Carrow Road. Vastly experienced manager with three Championship promotions at Birmingham City and Hull City.

Referee – Peter Bankes (Merseyside)

Shown eight red and 126 yellow cards in 36 appointments this season.

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