Sebastien Bassong insists he would swap personal accolades for safeguarding Norwich City's Premier League future.

Bassong is widely tipped as one of the front-runners for the prestigious supporters' player-of-the-year vote after an impressive debut campaign following his Tottenham switch. The French-bred defender stressed yesterday staying in the top flight is his only motivation.

'The biggest achievement for me would be to stay in the Premier League first – for the team. Getting the player of the season or not, if we stay in the Premier League I will be really happy because at the beginning of the season no one would have put a penny on us,' he said.

'If I can get award it will be a plus. I came here with a lot of determination because a lot of people were a bit surprised by my move from Tottenham to come here.

'But I knew what I was coming here for and I've always tried to do my best. I think the team and everyone around the club wanted me to be a success and to do the best I could.

'That's why I've been lucky. I've been scoring goals and I've had periods when I had a couple of knocks but I tried my best and I never gave up. I gave my best for the team and the team, all together, we have done a great job.'

Bassong has declared himself fit for Aston Villa's visit after his Stoke exit with a long-standing knee problem. Michael Turner's injury absence is again set to see him paired with Ryan Bennett at the heart of the backline.

'My knee is all right. I've had a little problem lately and I've got to manage it, but the medical staff are doing well so it's no problem,' he said. 'I need anti-inflammatories because my knee has a bit of inflammation but apart from that nothing.

'I think Ryan has done really, really well because he hasn't played so much and every time he played he did well. It means he has been working hard every day, so when he was meant to be playing he was ready. For me, that's really good. We've been playing together in games before Michael came back in the team, when he was injured. Not too much changes because we're working every day in training together. Sometimes we have to make changes so I can play alongside Leon Barnett or Ryan Bennett.'

Bassong was not part of the Paul Lambert era, but the Cameroon international is adamant the return of City's former manager is a side issue this weekend.

'Not so much has been said because we've played them twice this season already,' he said. 'The first game, yes, the players were talking about it. I think now the fans will welcome him well, and the players as well, but as soon as we're on the pitch it's going to be forgotten.'