Norwich City leave defiant Remi Garde’s Aston Villa in dire straits

Norwich City 2 Aston Villa 0: Remi Garde believes Aston Villa can still secure survival, despite defeat at Norwich leaving them 11 points from safety, with the division’s worst goal difference and without a league victory since the opening day of the season.

As they often have since the Frenchman’s appointment as manager, 20th-placed Villa began encouragingly before struggling after conceding the opening goal, on this occasion scored from close range by Jonny Howson.

Villa’s deep defensive line left Nathan Redmond with little option but to chip an optimistic cross towards Mbokani, Bacuna’s header fell to Howson, who struck first time.