Kieran Richardson - now there's a name that your average Premier League fan won't have heard for a while. The one-time England man is playing on the left flank for Villa today, pouncing on a cushioned header down from team-mate Jordan Ayew. The ball bounces invitingly for Richardson to crack at the Norwich goal from 25 yards - but it is always rising.

What a waste. Norwich's Robbie Brady - usually so reliable with that left peg - slams the free-kick straight into the Villa wall and the away side escape upfield.

Woah! Filthy defending from Villa as Dieumerci Mbokani is bundled over by two away players. Free-kick for Norwich right on the cusp of the away penalty area. Robbie Brady stands menacingly over the ball...

First shot of the afternoon goes to Aston Villa. Leandro Bacuna lets fly from 25 yards out, home keeper Declan Rudd pushing out. Rather unconvincingly I must say. Micah Richards can't prod in from the resulting corner.

Scrappy start as Norwich try to make a few in-roads. Villa centre-back Ciaran Clark crunches into a sliding challenge to win back possession for the visitors. 

Lively start from the Villans, who surge into the home half. A bouncing ball from a throw-in just evades Scott Sinclair and the home defence clear.

Referee Graham Scott puts his whistle to his lips, gives it a short, sharp, shrill blast - and that means we are under way. Norwich, decked out in their traditional yellow and green, kick off.

Norwich: Rudd, Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Brady, Howson, Dorrans, Tettey, Redmond, Hoolahan, Mbokani. Subs: Ruddy, Whittaker, Jerome, Lafferty, Olsson, O'Neil, Odjidja-Ofoe. 

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Clark, Richards, Bacuna, Westwood, Gana, Sinclair, Veretout, Richardson, Ayew. Subs: Lescott, Traore, Gil, Bunn, Lyden, Gestede, Grealish. 

Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire)

Huge cacophony of noise inside a floodlit Carrow Road as the players emerge from the tunnel. Time for the mandatory handshakes, before skippers Russell Martin and Micah Richards meet again - with referee Graham Scott also in attendance - for the coin toss.

Quick reminder of the two teams? You betcha...

Some 'inspiring' classical music is blasting out of the Carrow Road PA system as the two sets of players stroll out of the dressing rooms. You know the sort of tune I'm talking about, the kind that is the backing tune to a sob story on a reality TV talent show.

Anyway...Norwich skipper Russell Martin is standing side by side with Villa counterpart Micah Richards in the tunnel. Almost show-time...

John Roder
Match of the Day commentator at Carrow Road

"Aston Villa have a good recent record in matches against Norwich City, which might be a small crumb of comfort for Villa fans ahead of this crucial fixture.

"At the moment, Remi Garde can only dream of having the same sort of impact that Alex Neil has had in Norfolk. It has been a memorable 2015 for the Canaries following Neil's appointment in January.

"Villa travel to Norfolk having not won in the Premier League since the opening day of the season. With both sides desperate to end the year on a high it is certain to be a tense afternoon."

Oh hang on! We've found a happy home fan. This wig-wearing fella is flashing a toothy grin in the home stands. Perhaps he has just heard former shadow chancellor Ed Balls has been named the Canaries chairman. Or perhaps not....

Image source, Getty Images

Not many happy faces at Carrow Road, it has to be said. And why would there be when both sides are scrapping about in perilous positions?

One of the Norwich mascots - Captain Canary, I believe - is bringing some cheery relief though. The yellow, fluffy bird is earning his corn by helping the home groundstaff, sticking a fork into the turf before kick-off.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

After beating Manchester United Norwich may have put up more resistance at Tottenham but they were swatted away after a bright start. Now at home, this could be their biggest game of the season because they can get further away from Aston Villa and get up amongst the pack.

Villa can't get three points, they don't create enough chances and lack a goalscorer. Villa are already nine points adrift and we will know by the personnel they sign in January whether they honestly believe they can get out of it or not. 

They will keep going, they will not throw the towel in but they have such a lack of quality it's obvious what will happen to them. We have seen teams turn it around dramatically, look at Leicester last year, but Villa just do not look like scoring at all. They have no goals in them.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Any hope of a brighter New Year then Villa fans? Or are you resigned to life in the Champo next season?

Villa are nine points adrift of safety (sorry for reminding you), with today's hosts Norwich currently occupying that final safety spot.

What about Norwich, Canaries fans? Have you got enough quality to survive?

And - both teams - where would you like to see your side strengthen in the January transfer window (and be realistic)?

Tweet me your thoughts...

Aston Villa also make four changes from Boxing Day, when they drew 1-1 at home to West Ham.

The headline news is the return of skipper Micah Richards, who has missed four matches with a knee injury.

Ciaran Clark also comes in to start alongside Richards at centre-half, with Scott Sinclair and Kieran Richardson also getting the nod from boss Remi Garde.

Image source, Opta

Norwich midfielder Wes Hoolahan starts after being left on the bench on Boxing Day, one of four changes from the 3-0 defeat at Tottenham.

Striker Dieumerci Mbokani also steps up from the bench, along with midfield duo Jonny Howson and Graham Dorrans.

Image source, BBC Sport

Both sets of players are out on the lush Carrow Road turf, going through their warm-up drills. Not sure what the temperature is in the east of England, but there is a high percentage of glove-wearers in the home squad.

Want to know who's in and who's not? Excellent. Here's today's all-important team news...