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Player Grades: Aston Villa defeats Norwich City 4-2

By Josh Tonti

COLCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa shoots at goal as he is challenged by James Bree of Colchester during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Colchester United and Aston Villa at Colchester Community Stadium on August 9, 2017 in Colchester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
COLCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa shoots at goal as he is challenged by James Bree of Colchester during the Carabao Cup First Round match between Colchester United and Aston Villa at Colchester Community Stadium on August 9, 2017 in Colchester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa recovered league points by defeating Norwich City 4-2 at home. A second half scare was reduced by Conor Hourihane hammering home the club’s third and fourth goals.

Steve Bruce put his money where his mouth is by backing-up everything he said mid-week. He put Aston Villa in a position to succeed today, and it showed (mostly).

With Scott Hogan slowed by an ankle injury, 19-year old Keinan Davis got the start as the lone target-forward. Man, did he put a shift in. Davis impressed thoroughly and early – assisting Conor Hourihane’s opening goal. Josh Onomah played in Davis who put a sharp ground cross to a running Hourihane.

Later in the first half, André Green dribbled in from the left and unleashed a wicked curler into the top corner. 2-0 Villa at halftime. Norwich came out firing early in the second, as Josh Murphy ran rampant against the Villa right flank.

Conor Hourihane was the savior, though, with a second half brace to complete his hat-trick. He nearly scored a fourth, too.

Our instant player grades:

6.0. Solid match from Sam Johnstone. The Manchester United loanee wasn’t directly at fault for either goal, but was strong in the possession game – relieving pressure from the Villa backline.. GK. Aston Villa. SAM JOHNSTONE

3.5. Not a great match from Alan Hutton after a horrendous second half. He had an opening rough ten minutes where he was beaten three times. After that, The Scotsman played surprisingly well in the possession game. Hutton was booked in the second half after bringing down Norwich winger, Josh Murphy. Two minutes later, Hutton lost his marker and Murphy scored. James Bree replaced Hutton at the 63rd minute. His grade went down a whole 2-3 points based on the second half alone.. RB. Aston Villa. ALAN HUTTON

James Chester had a good recovery match after a pair of disappointing appearances away from home. Had a bit of trouble covering a few Norwich runs, but his several interceptions made up for it.. RCB. Aston Villa. JAMES CHESTER. 6.0

5.5. Fairly reliable Aston Villa captain. He and Neil Taylor had the left flank on lock-down all afternoon. Badly mis-judged Nelson Oliveira’s second half goal.. LCB. Aston Villa. JOHN TERRY

6.5. Really good match from the Wales international, Neil Taylor. by far the most influential he’s been in the early part of the season. Overloaded the left wing often with Andre Green, but the 19-year dribbled instead of using Taylor as a passing outlet.. LB. Aston Villa. NEIL TAYLOR

GLENN WHELAN. 6.0. Glenn Whelan set-up in the low block very well for Aston Villa against Norwich. The Canaries couldn’t get any movement in Zone 14. Encouraging match from the Republic of Ireland international, who was struggling to begin his Villa career.. CDM. Aston Villa

An unfortunate muscle injury reduced Josh Onomah to 30 minutes, but he set-up Villa’s 1st with an outlet pass to Keinan Davis. His sub, Henri Lansbury, was solid too. It’s good to have depth, right?. CM. Aston Villa. JOSH ONOMAH. 6.0

9.0. Superb match from the Republic of Ireland international, Conor Hourihane. Everything was great from his run into the box for his first goal, dead ball placements, and overall energy. Automatic starter for Aston Villa, IMO. Now has four goals in league play. Well deserved hat-trick.. CM. Aston Villa. CONOR HOURIHANE

AHMED ELMOHAMADY. 6.5. Very quiet from Ahmed Elmohamady in the attacking end, but he did a job today for The Claret and Blue. Elmo ran incessantly on the right flank, covering acres of space. His movements allowed Onomah/Lansbury/Hutton/Davis to all get their fair share of crosses from the right.. RW. Aston Villa

Wow, what a match from the 19-year old Keinan Davis. For as raw as he’s advertised, he looked the complete opposite. Every facet of his game looked mature beyond his years. Davis assisted Hourihane’s goal, and was an overall menace with his size, technical quality, and underrated pace.. CF. Aston Villa. KEINAN DAVIS. 8.0

7.5. Andre Green finally scored his first goal for Aston Villa! The 19-year old’s dribbling ability is something to behold. If Green ever completes a full arsenal of moves in the box – watch out world. Great athleticism and defending on the left, too.. LW. Aston Villa. ANDRE GREEN

Aston Villa continue on Tuesday in The Carabao Cup second-round against Wigan Athletic. It will be a return of the Callum O’Hare show.

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