Team News: Aston Villa drop Gestede, Lescott for Norwich City trip

Remi Garde has opted to make four changes for Aston Villa's crucial visit to relegation rivals Norwich City this afternoon.

The Villans welcome back Micah Richards, Kieran Richardson, Ciaran Clarke and Scott Sinclair, with Joleon Lescott, Carlos Sanchez, Rudy Gestede and Jores Okore missing out.

Alex Neil also makes four changes to the Canaries side that fell to Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day, with Martin Olsson, Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe, Cameron Jerome and Youssouf Mulumbu coming in at the expense of Jonny Howson, Dieumerci Mbokani, Wes Hoolahan and Graham Dorrans.

The Birmingham club begin - and will end - the afternoon rockbottom of the table currently on eight points, while their hosts are just above the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference.

Norwich City: Rudd; Martin, Bennett, Bassong, Brady; Tettey, Howson, Dorrans, Hoolahan; Redmond, Mbokani Subs: Ruddy, Whittaker, Jerome, Lafferty, Olsson, O'Neil, Odjidja

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Clark, Richardson, Bacuna, Gana, Westwood, Veretout, Sinclair, Ayew Subs: Bunn, Lescott, Adama, Gil, Lyden, Gestede, Grealish