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# Aston Villa manager Dean Smith expecting tough test at play-off rivals Norwich City
- URL: https://www.birminghameastside.co.uk/aston-villa-manager-dean-smith-expecting-tough-test-at-play-off-rivals-norwich-city/
- Published: 2018-10-23T11:47:17.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-14T10:05:04.000Z
- Description: Aston Villa boss Dean Smith will look to secure a second win in as many games as his side travel to Norwich.
- Author: Birmingham Eastside
- Tags: Sport, Video, Aston Villa, #Migrated-1786701253228, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-14 09:54

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith will look to secure a second win in as many games as his side travel to Norwich.

[Embed from Getty Images](http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/1052617268?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) 

The new manager got off to a perfect start with a 1-0 triumph over Swansea City at the weekend.

Despite sitting seven places adrift of Norwich in the Championship table, Villa could move level on points with the Canaries with a win at Carrow Road this evening (23rd October).

Smith said: “It will be a tough game - they are a footballing team.

"They are sat in the play-off spots at the moment so they have started the season reasonably well.

"Hopefully we can put in a performance."

Villa will go into the game without the suspended John McGinn. Conor Hourihane is likely to deputise for the Scottish midfielder.

See Dean Smith's full pre-match interview with the Aston Villa website below: