Straight from the training ground. Quick-thinking from a home corner sees Norwich midfielder Graham Dorrans race on to the short ball, firing just wide of the post. But honestly...where was the Villa marking? Their defence was snoozing.

Former Villa player John Deehan on BBC WM: “Very disappointing that for Villa after starting the game so well.  There was an opportunity for to dispossess Wes Hoolahan, and the amount of times he has constructed goals by small passes around the 18-yard box and we got caught then with a ball to the far post. To be fair it was a fantastic finish from Jonny Howson.”

Can you remember when Micah Richards was a rampaging full-back? The Villa skipper returns to his youth, charging down the right flank, trying to lift his struggling side. However, his low cross into the home penalty area cannot find a claret and blue shirt.

Kieran Richardson has been in the thick of Villa's sharpest attacking play (note: sharpest not sharp). Again, the former England man fancies his chances from distance. Again, he can't force Declan Rudd into decisive action.

Confidence has visibly lifted among the home players following that opening goal. Graham Dorrans marches forward from central midfield, tries to play a neat one-two with Nathan Redmond, but a Villa foot nicks the ball back.

Villa are huffing and puffing but can't blow a hole in the Norwich defence. Kieran Richardson cuts in from the left flank, dancing across the edge of the Villa box. But he can't find an inch of space to get a shot away.

It really was a lovely finish from Jonny Howson, but that little yellow blip in the graphic below is where Leandro Bacuna fails to clear. 

Norwich profit. Can Villa reply?

Image source, .

Howson's third goal of the season - with Norwich's first shot on target today - is a tad harsh on Villa, I would suggest. But then that's Villa's season in a nutshell...

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich haven't managed a shot on target yet - is that about to change? Nope. Jonny Howson's cross from the right byline is headed clear, only as far as Nathan Redmond. A gasp of expectancy goes up around Carrow Road as the ball drops towards him, only for the home winger to shank his attempted 20-yard volley.

Fair to say Norwich are going with one big man up top in Dieumerci Mbokani...

The most advanced player for Villa so far has been their number 18, Kieran Richardson, but they've been all about the right flank so far at Carrow Road.

Image source, .

Villa on the attack again. Jordan Veretout gallops down the left flank with the speed of a hungry greyhound, only to see Russell Martin cut out his square pass towards Jordan Ayew. Encouraging signs for the visitors....

Villa are taking great heart from that chance, enjoying plenty of possession in the Norwich half. Can they make it count?

Image source, Getty Images

Villa fans breathe a huge sigh of relief as Jordan Ayew returns to his feet. And within seconds he almost opens the scoring! The Villa striker is given far too much space at a set-piece, but can't direct his header past Canaries keeper Declan Rudd. Either side and it would have been unstoppable...

Slight concern for Aston Villa as Jordan Ayew - the only man who looks like scoring for the rock-bottom side - goes down close to the centre circle. The Ghana international is wiped out after running into Norwich centre-back Ryan Bennett. Someone bring on the smelling salts....

Virtually nothing has happened in the past 60 seconds. Well, apart from Norwich's Jonny Howson slipping over on the touchline. Seriously.

Cagey. Scrappy.Two adjectives you won't be surprised to hear used to describe this opening 10 minutes at Carrow Road. Pretty even in terms of possession and territory as our graphic below shows.

Image source, Opta

Villa win a free-kick on the right flank, about 35 yards out. The big men go up from the back, but Kieran Richardson's inswinging delivery is poor and Norwich thump clear.

Slight problem for Villa midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who is limping around in midfield. A wet of the magic sponge should see him right.