Conor Hourihane came off the bench to score the only goal against fellow strugglers Norwich and halt Aston Villa’s four-match losing streak.
Both sides were promoted back to the Premier League last season and came into Christmas in the relegation zone after going five games without a win.
It was visitors Norwich who was the most positive during the first hour at Villa Park, with Sam Byram’s first-half header bouncing against the top of the crossbar.
But within eight minutes of coming on, Irish midfielder Hourihane swept the ball in from Jack Grealish’s lay-off to score with just Villa’s second shot on target.
Tom Heaton then produced a fine reflex save to deny Norwich substitute, Onel Hernandez, as Villa held on for a crucial victory.
Although they remain third-bottom, Villa is back within a point of safety while Norwich has slipped below Watford to the bottom of the table.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his 12th Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal came from behind to draw at Bournemouth in Mikel Arteta’s first match in charge of the Gunners.
Midfielder Dan Gosling gave the hosts the lead from close range after Jack Stacey’s cut back before Arsenal’s captain came to the rescue.
Aubameyang struck with a first-time shot after Reiss Nelson’s attempt from the edge of the penalty area deflected into the Gabon forward’s path. read more
Source – BBC
