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The best images from Norwich City’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa
Nelson Oliveira scores Norwich City's winner. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Norwich City moved up to 8th in the Championship table with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Carrow Road.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini watches Nelson Oliveira's shot hit the back of the net. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Nelson Oliveira's strike in the 62nd minute - his third goal in as many games - was enough to seal the victory for Alex Neil's men over Steve Bruce's side.
Neil retained faith with the line up who finished Saturday's 2-1 Championship defeat at Barnsley. Youssouf Mulumbu and Martin Olsson started with Josh Murphy and Alex Pritchard dropping out of the matchday squad.
Norwich City manager Alex Neil during the game. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
City's substitutes' bench was also bolstered by the return of fit-again trio Michael McGovern, Steven Naismith and Alex Tettey.
Cameron Jerome (back) again missed out and there was also no place in the squad for Louis Thompson (pelvis) fresh from signing a new longer term deal at Carrow Road, which was announced prior to kick-off.
Nelson Oliveira slotted Norwich City's winner against Aston Villa. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Following the win, Norwich City manager Alex Neil said: 'This is a massive result. If it was going to be a damp squib that would have been a lot of trouble for me.
'It wasn't and the players showed the fighting spirit of one of my teams. I knew what was coming, of course, if it went wrong and it will continue on to Friday. I have an expectation of myself and my team and we have not delivered. It is not a case I think what has been said is not merited or not warranted. I have answered every question head-on but they responded, fought, scrapped and showed a bit of quality.
Norwich City players celebrate Nelson Oliveira's winner. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
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'We have been through a bad run and this performance again shows what we are capable of because the results have been unacceptable. The last three matches I think, bar the first-half at Barnsley, it looks like we are going in the right direction.'
'I thought we deserved to win. I thought we were the better side.
Youssouf Mulumbu is available again for Norwich after returning from the African Cup of Nations. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
'We started really lively. For about 25 minutes we were good and then there was a lull and they built a bit of momentum from that. Then it swung back to us just before half-time and in the second-half I felt we were completely dominant.
'My defenders were excellent. I thought my two centre-backs were completely dominant and the same with the full-backs. Ivo Pinto showed again how much we have missed him.
Norwich City manager Alex Neil got the better of Aston Villa's Steve Bruce. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
'I thought I would go with experience, even on the bench. The guys who have seen it, done it before are sometimes the best option. We stood up. We were men. We fought hard and did the ugly jobs.'
Match-winner Oliveira dedicated victory over Aston Villa to Norwich City's supporters.
Graham Dorrans was prominent in Norwich City's 1-0 Championship win over Aston Villa. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
The Portuguese summer signing said: 'The fans were amazing, we felt they supported us very hard and that is good for us.'
'We played well and this win is for them as well, because we want to go up in the table. We are a better team than many that are higher than us. So let's keep working and go for the top places.'
Sebastien Bassong was part of a Norwich City backline which kept a second consecutive home league clean sheet. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
On his goal, Oliveira added: 'I saw the defender in front of the goalkeeper and the goalkeeper maybe doesn't expect that I shoot so quickly. Maybe he thinks I'll take another touch. I put the ball in the corner and luckily I scored.'
Graham Dorrans was a driving presence in Norwich City's midfield. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Nelson Oliveira celebrates scoring Norwich City's winner with Robbie Brady, as Aston Villa are defeated at Carrow Road. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
John Ruddy applauds the fans at the end of the game. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Nelson Oliveira celebrates his winner with Sebastien Bassong. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Nelson Oliveira celebrates his winner. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Robbie Brady rues a missed chances from 12 yards out. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Robbie Brady rues a missed chances from 12 yards out. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Jonny Howson has a shot on goal. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Robbie Brady is fouled by Alan Hutton. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Nelson Oliveira rues a missed chance. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Nelson Oliveira has a shot on goal. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Jacob Murphy crosses the ball. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce gives instructions to Ashley Westwood. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Ivo Pinto applauds the fans at the end of the game. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Nelson Oliveira celebrates scoring his winner. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Norwich City chief executive Jez Moxey insists Alex Neil is still the man to lead the club to promotion. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
