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Capital One Cup

Carrow Road (ATT 26,142) 11th December 2012 - Kick off 19:45 Ref: M Oliver

Norwich Norwich City vs Aston Villa A Villa

Norwich 1

S Morison (19)

ft

A Villa 4

B Holman (21)
A Weimann (79, 85)
C Benteke (90+1)

Live Commentary

This article updates itself. There is no need to refresh this page. Last Updated at 9:39 pm, December 11th 2012

  1. Simply makes you wonder why Villa can be so poor in the Premier League, because they were irresistable at times tonight. Many thanks for joining me, and give me a follow at @danielstorey85

  2. 90+4

    And that's full time. A wonderful second half from Aston Villa, for whom Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann performed brilliantly after the break.

  3. 90+3

    There is still time for Given to make a fine save from a Norwich header

  4. 90+2

    Honestly, that is one of the best goals I have seen this season. Villa pass the ball fifteen or sixteen times before working it to the edge of the area and allowing Benteke to strike. It makes you wonder how Villa are struggling

  5. 90

    What a goal that is from Benteke!!! 4-1!!

  6. 90

    Jonathan Howson was the man replaced by Bennett

  7. 89

    Corner for Villa, as they continue to press despite being two goals ahead.

  8. 87

    Elliott Bennett on for Norwich

  9. 85

    Pilkington screws the ball wide on the turn

  10. 84

    Fabulous work from Christian Benteke, who held the ball up , and passed back for Weimann to finish beautifully.

  11. 83

    3-1 Villa!!! Substitute Weimann scores his second!

  12. 82

    So can Norwich force extra time? Villa probably deserve this on the balance of play, but Norwich have created

  13. 80

    Grant Holt penalised for a foul in the Villa area, and he hits the bar as the whistle is blown

  14. 79

    Simeon Jackson coming on for Norwich to replace Morison

  15. 78

    It was a nice finish from Weimann, but the defending was static from Norwich.

  16. 78

    2-1 Villa!!!! Andreas Weimann finishes from a Lichaj cross

  17. 77

    That really was a good save from Given, fine reactions.

  18. 75

    What a chance for Pilkington to play in Snodgrass, but just too much pace on the ball. Corner for Norwich. From the set piece, great save from Given from a Holt header

  19. 74

    El Ahmadi wins a corner for Villa, and the game is now simply end-to-end

  20. 73

    We move towards the time in the match where I think extra time is on the cards, which normally means a winner is close by

  21. 72

    Holman will be replaced by N'Zogbia. Holman very impressive in the first half

  22. 71

    Fine headed clearance by Lowton from a dangerous header from Snodgrass

  23. 69

    Shot from Lichajwhich is blocked by Bassong. I suspect Bunn would have saved it, however

  24. 67

    The game has again just dropped down a gear, but it has been a fervent atmosphere so far

  25. 65

    The free kick is on target but comfortably saved by Given

  26. 65

    Free kick for Norwich 30 yards out after Morison is tripped after fine work from Howson.

  27. 63

    Must also say that the travelling Villa fans have been fantastic in their support tonight

  28. 63

    Replays show that Lichaj may have been clipped when taking his shot, so I was a little unfair

  29. 62

    Lichaj tries to shoot but shanks it wide when he should have done better. Lacked composure

  30. 61

    Chris Herd has taken a heavy knock to the face from Grant Holt, but the referee believes that any contact was not deliberate

  31. 59

    A few murmurs of discontent as Villa enjoy large spells of possession, which seems harsh

  32. 58

    Again Shay Given miscontrols the ball and has a kick charged down. I have to say Given doesn't look like a Premier League goalkeeper tonight

  33. 57

    Aston Villa have looked extremely comfortable on the ball tonight, not always the case when I have seen them this season

  34. 55

    The game is still being played at a frantic pace, a really good cup tie this

  35. 53

    ball blazed over by Holman, but there was an appeal for handball against Johnson

  36. 52

    Goal to Villa, and that is now ruled out for offside, Benteke's header ruled out. Crazy scenes!

  37. 51

    This time Morison does score, but is ruled out by an offside flag. This is Morison v Villa here!

  38. 50

    Another chance for Morison, who gets through and goal and then chips over Given, but the ball also goes over the bar. Again, should score for me

  39. 50

    Chance for Norwich, and Morison heads over the crossbar. Possibly should have done better, although was pressured

  40. 48

    A more settled start to the second half, as Norwich look to hold the ball.

  41. 46

    Back underway at Carrow Road...

  42. 45+3

    And that's half time. A fluid half of open football, with both sides creating chances. Two goals in 90 seconds but it is still even. Join me in fifteen minutes for the second half...

  43. 45

    We will have three minutes of stoppage time

  44. 44

    Fluid attacking counter from Norwich, which ends with Morison volleying for Given to tip wide

  45. 43

    Another good save from Bunn, and again it is Holman with the effort. He is by far the most impressive player on he field so far

  46. 41

    Villa attacking down the left hand side of the pitch, and win a series of attacking throw ins

  47. 39

    A little spat between Holt and Herd ends with both players having a talking to from referee Michael Oliver

  48. 38

    The game has just entered a slightly scrappy period as we near half time

  49. 36

    Bent had looked impressive, so that's a real shame for the game as well as Villa

  50. 35

    Darren Bent has pulled his hamstring, which is cruel on the striker. Replaced by Andreas Weimann.

  51. 34

    After that spell of Villa pressure, Norwich have done well to get back into the game. Darren Bent is now seen getting treatment, and he will be withdrawn

  52. 33

    Huge chance for Morison, on the edge of the six yard box as the cross comes in, but the striker inexplicably fails to connect

  53. 32

    Fabulous cross from Morison, and fabulously cleared by Nathan Baker

  54. 30

    Fabian Delph with an effort from distance, but always drifting high and wide. Shame, because he had options to pass there

  55. 28

    Must say that Darren Bent has looked very lively so far, more involved than Christian Benteke.

  56. 26

    Performances like this so far from Villa make you dhow they have struggled so much this season. Must score when on top though

  57. 25

    Fantastic double save from Mark Bunn, as Lowton and Benteke both force diving stops from the keeper. Norwich are rocking slightly.

  58. 24

    Brett Holman is causing problems for the home side with his range of passing

  59. 24

    Villa now on top, enjoying great possession an offside ends the move. Norwich need to settle back onto the ball here.

  60. 23

    Chance for everyone to get their breath back. I did think this might be an open, enjoyable game

  61. 21

    Fantastic finish from Holman, and a wonderful response from Villa

  62. 21

    Equaliser!!! Brett Holman with a wodnerful half volley from the edge of the penalty area!

  63. Morison was sent through on goal from a simple ball allowed the striker to get one-on-one with Given. He dinks it past the keeper, who is in no mans land.

  64. 19

    Steve Morison scores!!!

  65. 18

    Lichaj tries to nod the ball across the penalty area after a good period for Villa, and Norwich scramble clear

  66. 16

    Shay Given again clears into touch. He does need to work on that, because the Norwich fans are loving his slices!

  67. 14

    A good passing move from Norwich ends with Given rushing to clear again. Norwich looking to imprint their passing on the game.

  68. 13

    Chance for Norwich as Shay Given's clearance is charged down by Grant Holt. Luckily for Villa it fell to a defender.

  69. 11

    Superb strike from Fabian Delph, and it takes a deflection to give Villa a corner

  70. 10

    Given claims the corner with ease

  71. 9

    Corner for Norwich as Morison jumps with the defender

  72. 9

    Matt Lowton crosses for Bent, but too close to Bunn who saves with ease

  73. 8

    We are back underway, but Holt continues to receive treatment on his right knee

  74. 7

    Grant Holt air kicks the ball down the Norwich right, and he looks to be in pain. I'm not sure whether it is part hurt pride

  75. 5

    Norwich enjoying some settled possession after a frantic opening few minutes

  76. 4

    The Norwich fans chant their manager's name, clearly in an attempt to taunt their former boss

  77. 3

    A Darren bent with confidence scores that chance, by the way.

  78. 3

    Darren Bent has a huge chance to give Villa the lead, but he hits Bunn when through on goal. Fantastic start here

  79. 2

    It was a poor cross but just looped over the Villa keeper

  80. 2

    Norwich on the attack, and a cross goes over Given and hits the post!

  81. 1

    We are underway...

  82. The teams are out and we are just a few minutes from kick off...

  83. The ground is filling up nicely now. This is officially a sell-out, which is great news for the League Cup, an oft-maligned competition.

  84. Norwich have been backed in to evens to win in 90 minutes tonight with little support for Aston Villa at 13/5. We go 5/2 for the game to head to extra-time, while Grant Holt is the 9/2 favourite to open the scoring

  85. Just over ten minutes to kick off, and a reminder (although I'm sure you already know) that if we are level after ninety minutes we go into extra time and penalties

  86. There will always be boo boys for those fans who see it as an automatic reaction, but Lambert provided the best performance at the club since the early 90s.

  87. So what sort of reception will Paul Lamber get tonight? Get in touch with me at @danielstorey85 with your thoughts, but I strongly hope it's positive. This is a manager that achieved a double promotion with the club, a phenomenal achievement.

  88. I should also warn you that the mist is rolling in at Carrow Road (Isn't that a Nottingham Forest chant?), which doesn't make things ideal for text commentary! Hey ho.

  89. Villa, meanwhile, have won one in 18 away games and have scored just two goals in five away games.

  90. To remind you, Norwich are unbeaten in ten games in all competitions and unbelievably sit four points off the top four. That's hugely impressive.

  91. For what it is worth, I'm fairly confident of a good game tonight. I do fancy Norwich with the run they are on, and the gap created between themselves and the bottom three allows them to have a real good go tonight

  92. So, the big news is probably that Paul Lambert picks Darren Bent and Christian Benteke alongside each other

  93. Aston Villa: Given, Clark, El Ahmadi, Bent, Holman, Delph, Benteke, Lichaj, Herd, Baker, Lowton

  94. Norwich: Bunn; R. Martin, Bassong, Barnett, Tierney; Pilkington, Johnson, Howson, Snodgrass; Holt , Morison

  95. The teams are in, and thankfully both managers have picked very strong sides...

  96. Before we get things started, let me remind you to get in touch with me or give me a follow on Twitter @danielstorey85 I want to hear your predictions for tonight's game, and the best will be published.

  97. Paul Lambert returns to Carrow Road for the first time since he left for Aston Villa. What sort of reception will he receive?

  98. Good evening and welcome to our commentary from Carrow Road...

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