Most Norwich City fans will have quickly scanned the Premier League fixture list for the two games against former boss Paul Lambert's Aston Villa – but double player of the season winner and Evening News columnist Iwan Roberts believes it is time to look forward rather than back.

'It's not about Paul Lambert now, it's about 38, very, very difficult games and building on what was achieved last year – onwards and upwards,' said former striker Roberts, after the Canaries' programme for 2012-13 was released.

City kick off with four games against London opponents, starting against Fulham at Craven Cottage on the opening day on August 18.

But after the first four matches comes a run of five potentially very tough games, away to Newcastle, at home to Liverpool, away to Chelsea, at home to Arsenal and away to Villa. City lost all five corresponding fixtures last season, despite finishing 12th in the table.

'There are some games against top sides early on that are going to be really difficult, but there are some winnable games in that lot,' said Roberts.

'We never had the best of times at Craven Cottage but you do get some strange results on the opening day and I'm sure Chris Hughton will be looking to make his mark.

'The first home game against Queens Park Rangers you have to be looking to win, even though they will strengthen their side in the summer.'

Roberts said Hughton would enjoy taking on his former clubs, with Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle the Canaries' first three September opponents.

'Chris was a fantastic servant for Spurs, where he made his name as a player and also as a coach,' he said. 'And he will look forward to the game at Newcastle. Though he has nothing to prove to them, it's nice to go back to a club where you were harshly treated and try to come away with something.'