Aston Villa v Norwich City preview: Paul Lambert takes on his former employers in a potential livewire

There is a potential stormy reunion in store at Villa Park on Saturday when Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert takes on his former club Norwich City in the Premier League.

The 43-year-old departed Carrow Road under a cloud in the summer, stepping down from his managerial post at the end of May to take over the Villans just days later in June. Norwich and Lambert are now involved in a bitter legal battle over compensation and there could be some sparks from both sides on Saturday. Both Villa and Norwich have been disappointing in the Premier League so far this season, hovering just over the relegation zone. Heading into the eighth round of matches in the English top flight this weekend, Villa find themselves just one point above the bottom three with five points, while Norwich are a point above them in 15th. However, the Canaries will be boosted by their 1-0 home win against Arsenal last weekend, while this is Villa's worst start to a season in 25 years, but Lambert refuses to panic.Richard Dunne is out for Villa with a groin injury, while Nathan Baker and Ciaran Clark will undergo further tests on Friday to ascertain their fitness for Saturday's encounter. Matt Lowton is on standby to switch into the centre with Eric Lichaj in contention to earn a recall as his replacement at right-back. Hughton has no fresh injury worries for Norwich, with goalkeeper Mark Bunn and defender Steven Whittaker expected to return next week. The Canaries boss could also deploy Wesley Hoolahan in a five-man midfield against Villa.