Norwich v Aston Villa - McLeish unsure of his future | English premier League 2012
- 10 years ago
Norwich left-back Adam Drury is nursing a groin problem and is a doubt for Sunday's game at Carrow Road.
Zak Whitbread, Marc Tierney and Daniel Ayala are all ruled out.
Aston Villa forwards Gabby Agbonlahor (ribs) and Emile Heskey (ankle) could join Darren Bent and Andreas Weimann on the sidelines.
Alan Hutton is out with an ankle injury so James Collins could start, with Carlos Cuellar moved to right back in what may be his farewell appearance.
MATCH PREVIEW
To ask an Aston Villa supporter what they think about this season is to light the claret-and-blue touchpaper. It began with a fan base malcontented at the appointment of ex-Birmingham boss Alex McLeish, and ends in much the same way. Villa fans tell me they're not so much bothered by where McLeish came from, it's where they feel his style of play is taking them that's the real concern.
Last week's anxious home draw with Tottenham made Villa's Premier League status safe, barring a crazy set of scorelines, but no-one is allowing that to paper over the fissures evident over the previous 37 matches.
McLeish is incredibly likeable - a journalist's dream, and he still appears to enjoy the backing of owner Randy Lerner, but the obvious truth is that the fans were lost to the manager many weeks ago, and there'll surely be further protest chants and banners at Carrow Road on Sunday.
Though Norwich are only six points better off than Villa, theirs has been a season of triumph. Not once threatened by relegation, the Canaries will enjoy the final game of a remarkable campaign, which will be fondly remembered by a club mindful of its history.
Sunday represents one last chance too for a couple of Norwich players to make a last-minute claim to a Euro 2012 squad place. It hasn't just been voices with Norfolk accents talking up the England chances of Grant Holt and John Ruddy. Their inclusion for a major finals would further crown the remarkable progress Norwich City have made under Paul Lambert.
Which brings us to th
Zak Whitbread, Marc Tierney and Daniel Ayala are all ruled out.
Aston Villa forwards Gabby Agbonlahor (ribs) and Emile Heskey (ankle) could join Darren Bent and Andreas Weimann on the sidelines.
Alan Hutton is out with an ankle injury so James Collins could start, with Carlos Cuellar moved to right back in what may be his farewell appearance.
MATCH PREVIEW
To ask an Aston Villa supporter what they think about this season is to light the claret-and-blue touchpaper. It began with a fan base malcontented at the appointment of ex-Birmingham boss Alex McLeish, and ends in much the same way. Villa fans tell me they're not so much bothered by where McLeish came from, it's where they feel his style of play is taking them that's the real concern.
Last week's anxious home draw with Tottenham made Villa's Premier League status safe, barring a crazy set of scorelines, but no-one is allowing that to paper over the fissures evident over the previous 37 matches.
McLeish is incredibly likeable - a journalist's dream, and he still appears to enjoy the backing of owner Randy Lerner, but the obvious truth is that the fans were lost to the manager many weeks ago, and there'll surely be further protest chants and banners at Carrow Road on Sunday.
Though Norwich are only six points better off than Villa, theirs has been a season of triumph. Not once threatened by relegation, the Canaries will enjoy the final game of a remarkable campaign, which will be fondly remembered by a club mindful of its history.
Sunday represents one last chance too for a couple of Norwich players to make a last-minute claim to a Euro 2012 squad place. It hasn't just been voices with Norfolk accents talking up the England chances of Grant Holt and John Ruddy. Their inclusion for a major finals would further crown the remarkable progress Norwich City have made under Paul Lambert.
Which brings us to th