Aston Villa's win against Blackburn has truly put them in the mix for a Championship play-off spot come the end of the season.

Boss Dean Smith thinks this month, which has seen them win five games in a row, has turned their mentality around.

"These players have got a newfound resilience where, even when they're 1-0 up, they're confident and feel like no one is going to go and score goals against them and break them down," Smith told BBC WM 95.6.

"We've had a fabulous March and getting that win puts us in a good position and some momentum towards April and May, now."

Even Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray admitted that his side faced a team very much in the image of the style Smith wants to play.

"Villa have hit a patch of form - you can see the identity of a Dean Smith team on them now," Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Ryan Shotton's long throw into the Norwich box causes trouble and Ashley Fletcher hooks a shot over from five yards out.

Brave defending from Ben Godfrey, who put his head in where it hurts to put the striker off.

Fletcher has another go from the edge of the box but it's straight at Tim Krul.

A chance wasted for Middlesbrough.

Adam Clayton wins the ball back and Boro break, but Britt Assombalonga takes a little bit too long to set up the chance. Jonny Howson eventually gets it but sends his effort over.

Young Norwich full-back Max Aarons takes a kick to the calf from Middlesbrough captain George Friend and is down getting some treatment.

Image source, Rex Features

Both sides have had their moments going forward but, as we reach the midway point of the first half, it's still goalless.

Image source, Rex Features

Boro boss Tony Pulis has a VERY loud voice.

Every time Norwich have the ball at the back, there's a big bellow of "JOHHHHHN!" from the gaffer on the touchline.

Not sure if it's Jonny Howson or Jon Mikel Obi who he's shouting at.

Incredible save from Middlesbrough goalkeeper Darren Randolph!

Teemu Pukki looks nailed on to open the scoring, his shot from 10 yards appears to take a slight deflection, and Randolph flings himself to his right to palm it away.

Terrific stop.

One Middlesbrough error and Norwich almost pounce. Daniel Ayala slips and Norwich play a nice one-two on the edge of the Boro box, but an Onel Hernandez shot is blocked by Ryan Shotton.

At the other end, Ashley Fletcher curls an effort wide for the hosts as light rain begins to fall.

Image source, Rex Features

It's been all Middlesbrough so far. Norwich just haven't got going.

This is a super start by Middlesbrough.

George Friend, again, gets space 25 yards out and has a go. This effort is much better than his first and Tim Krul is called upon to make the save.

Former Norwich man Jonny Howson tries his luck for Boro this time but it's well saved by Tim Krul.

The home side are swarming all over Norwich's midfield, who haven't had a moment's peace in the first seven minutes.

The first shot of note comes from Middlesbrough, but George Friend's long-range effort is wayward and still rising.

Middlesbrough haven't been outside the Championship's top six since 9 August. That was the first week of the season.

Middlesbrough in their traditional red and white, Norwich in their change strip of fluorescent green.

We're under way.

Image source, Rex Features

The teams are out on Teesside.

For one day only, in partnership with Enjoy Tees Valley, the Riverside Stadium has been renamed as the "Captain James Cook Stadium".

It came out on top in an online poll and commemorates the 18th-century explorer, who was born and grew up in the area.

On the pitch, Boro could do with some inspiration. They seemed certs for a play-off spot a few weeks ago, but three successive losses and today's earlier results have left them a point outside the top six before their game against the Championship leaders.

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich have won their past six Championship matches and will be five points clear at the top of the table if they are victorious at Middlesbrough.

They've also got a fairly kind run-in - after today, the only other top-six side they have left to face is Aston Villa on the final day of the campaign.

Middlesbrough go with Britt Assombalonga up front alongside Ashley Fletcher as they look to end their three-game losing run.

Middlesbrough: Randolph, Shotton, Ayala, Flint, Fry, Friend, Mikel, Howson, Clayton, Fletcher, Assombalonga.

Norwich's team news is fairly straightforward - they're unchanged for the seventh match in a row.

Norwich: Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Lewis, Trybull, McLean, Buendia, Stiepermann, Hernandez, Pukki.

Image source, .

Confirmation, then, that Leeds United's win against Millwall and Sheffield United's defeat by Bristol City sees Marcelo Bielsa's Whites move up to second.

A win for Norwich will put them seven points clear of the third-placed Blades.

Aston Villa and Derby County also recorded important home wins, while Boro go into tonight's game a point outside of the top six.

Thanks Jay and Brendon - what an afternoon so far in the EFL. We'll have manager reaction in the next couple of hours, while we also follow the Championship leaders Norwich away at Middlesbrough.