Norwich City vs Aston Villa. Sky Bet Championship.
Carrow RoadAttendance26,278.
Watch live on Sky Sports Football from 12pm on Saturday
Saturday 7 April 2018 11:24, UK
Norwich will again be without winger Onel Hernandez for Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash at home to promotion-chasing Aston Villa, live on Sky Sports Football from 12pm.
Hernandez sat out the Easter schedule because of a hamstring problem and Canaries boss Daniel Farke confirmed he had suffered a setback of at least another week. Midfielder Moritz Leitner, though, could be in contention after returning to training from his own hamstring problem, along with defender Sean Raggett (back), but forward Marley Watkins will miss out because of illness.
Marco Stiepermann is stepping up his recovery from a hernia, while winger Matt Jarvis continues his rehabilitation from a long-term ankle injury, along with midfielders Tom Trybull (ankle/knee) and Louis Thompson (Achilles).
Villa boss Steve Bruce has seen his own injury concerns ease in recent weeks. Striker Jonathan Kodjia has recovered from his long-term ankle problem, but could again have to make do with a place on the bench.
Midfielder Glenn Whelan has resumed training following a calf problem, but the trip to Norfolk could come too soon. Defender Alan Hutton (thigh) continues his recovery, along with midfielder Andre Green (hamstring) and goalkeeper Jed Steer (dislocated shoulder).
Norwich have won each of their last two home league matches against Villa without conceding a goal, winning 2-0 in 2015-16 and 1-0 last season.
The Villans have won seven of their last nine matches against Norwich in all competitions (L2), winning 4-2 in the reverse fixture this season.
Norwich's James Maddison has created more goalscoring chances than any other Championship player this season (103), with seven of those resulting in goals.
Conor Hourihane has scored four goals in three league appearances against Norwich, including a hat-trick earlier this campaign.
After going on a seven-match unbeaten run, the Canaries have lost three of their last five league games (W1 D1).
Steve Bruce has ended on the losing side in each of his last five league trips to Carrow Road since winning 1-0 with Birmingham in March 2002.
Norwich were playing like a team already on the beach at QPR on Easter Monday, and Aston Villa will be hoping that it's that type of Canaries performance again on Saturday.
Villa rolled Reading over pretty comfortably on Tuesday, but it was important for them to get the win after their brief blip in form. They will need maximum points between now and the end of the season if there is any chance of them gaining automatic promotion, and I think they will get three points at Carrow Road.
David Prutton predicts: 1-2 with Albert Adomah to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)
