Norwich capped a superb season with an easy win over Aston Villa that heaps more pressure on manager Alex McLeish.

Canaries striker Grant Holt bolstered his unlikely claim for a Euro 2012 place, bundling home a free-kick at the far post for his 17th of the season.

Simeon Jackson pounced on Carlos Cuellar's mistake to tuck away from close range and double the hosts' lead.

Villa were then indebted to goalkeeper Shay Given, who made several saves to keep the score respectable.

HOLT FOR ENGLAND?

  • Grant Holt has scored 15 Premier League goals this season - Wayne Rooney is the only Englishman with more.

McLeish was relentlessly booed by the visiting fans throughout a defeat that rounded off a miserable first season in charge at Villa Park for the Scot.

It was also a fitting end to Norwich's triumphant campaign, as the dominant hosts sealed a 12th place finish in the table.

Villa ended up 16th on 38 points - their lowest tally since 1987 under Billy McNeill.

Villa were rotten - McLeish

Although they mathematically secured their survival in this match, it was not a day for celebration and Villa's final position just two points above the relegation zone makes grim reading.

Injured England striker Darren Bent was conspicuous by his absence, failing to the make the bench amid reports he is set to be fit for Euro 2012 .

It meant the spotlight fell more sharply on Holt, who remains unfancied to win an international cap despite being the Premier League's second highest-scoring Englishman this season.

The striker notched his 15th league goal of the campaign after eight minutes, diverting home Bradley Johnson's free-kick at the far post with an unorthodox combination of chest and shoulder.

The Canaries soon scored again when Cuellar marked his final appearance for Villa with a defensive howler.

Norwich were brilliant - Lambert

The Spanish defender unwittingly headed Ryan Bennett's pass straight to Jackson, who was denied by Given from six yards but then tucked away the rebound.

Given had to be alert to thrwart Jonny Howson, Simon Lappin and Elliott Bennett as Norwich repeatedly cut through Villa's midfield and backline at will.

The only noteworthy Villa attack of the first half was Eric Lichaj's 20-yard strike tipped wide by John Ruddy.

They started the second half in much brighter fashion, as Ruddy was called upon to deny Emile Heskey and Stephen Ireland.

But Norwich soon reasserted their superiority and Jackson was unlucky not to grab his second goal when his rasping 20-yard drive was palmed away by Given.

There was more trouble for McLeish when Cuellar appeared to be unhappy at being substituted in his farewell game.

A SEASON TO FORGET

  • Aston Villa failed to win in any of their last 10 games of the campaign.
  • The club's final points tally of 38 is their lowest since the 1986/87 season.

The beleaguered manager's luck was summed up when Gabby Agbonlahor's strike was expertly tipped on to the post by Ruddy, another Canary who has staked a claim for an England place after an outstanding season.

There was a celebratory mood inside Carrow Road at the final whistle as the home fans hailed Paul Lambert - and keeping hold of their manager will be the Canaries' most important task of the summer.

Meanwhile, McLeish is set to meet Villa owner Randy Lerner this week with even greater uncertainty over his future.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Norwich City

  • 01 Ruddy
  • 02 R Martin
  • 25 Naughton
  • 33 R Bennett
  • 04 Johnson
  • 14 Hoolahan
  • 17 E Bennett
  • 19 Lappin
  • 24 Howson (Crofts - 76' )
  • 09 Holt Booked (Morison - 68' )
  • 10 Jackson (Wilbraham - 68' )

Substitutes

  • 31 Steer
  • 03 Drury
  • 07 Crofts
  • 11 Surman
  • 15 Fox
  • 05 Morison
  • 21 Wilbraham

Aston Villa

  • 01 Given
  • 03 Warnock (Baker - 81' )
  • 05 Dunne
  • 06 Collins
  • 21 Clark Booked
  • 24 Cuellar (Gardner - 66' )
  • 30 Lichaj
  • 07 Ireland Booked
  • 31 Herd (Bannan - 46' )
  • 11 Agbonlahor
  • 18 Heskey

Substitutes

  • 22 Guzan
  • 32 Baker
  • 10 N'Zogbia
  • 25 Bannan
  • 38 Gardner
  • 40 Carruthers
  • 14 Delfouneso
Ref: Atkinson
Att: 26,803

Match Stats

Shots

21 9

On target

12 5

Corners

9 6

Fouls

6 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:16 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +1:49

Barry Bannan takes a shot from 35 yards and missed to the left of the goal.

90:00 +1:24

Wesley Hoolahan takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

90:00 +0:58

The ball is crossed by Steve Morison.

88:19

Elliott Bennett delivers the ball, clearance by James Collins.

87:00

Elliott Bennett takes the indirect free kick.

87:00 Booking

Booking Stephen Ireland is given a yellow card.

86:55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Bradley Johnson by Stephen Ireland.

84:51

The ball is crossed by Andrew Crofts, clearance made by Richard Dunne.

82:02

The ball is sent over by Elliott Bennett, Ciaran Clark gets a block in.

81:17

A cross is delivered by Steve Morison.

80:17 Substitution

Substitution Stephen Warnock leaves the field to be replaced by Nathan Baker.

76:54

Centre by Stephen Warnock, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Emile Heskey misses to the right of the target.

76:35

Ryan Bennett gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Emile Heskey. Richard Dunne restarts play with the free kick.

75:48 Substitution

Substitution Andrew Crofts on for Jonathan Howson.

75:34

Elliott Bennett produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.

74:59

Steve Morison crosses the ball, blocked by Richard Dunne.

73:23

Gary Gardner delivers the ball, Header from deep inside the area by Stephen Ireland goes over the bar.

72:23

Effort on goal by Aaron Wilbraham from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

70:58

Steve Morison crosses the ball, clearance made by Richard Dunne.

70:05

Gabriel Agbonlahor takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy.

69:43

Aaron Wilbraham gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ciaran Clark. Indirect free kick taken by Richard Dunne.

67:27

Corner taken by Elliott Bennett, Close range shot by Steve Morison goes over the bar.

67:27 Substitution

Substitution Aaron Wilbraham is brought on as a substitute for Simeon Jackson.

67:27 Substitution

Substitution Steve Morison on for Grant Holt.

67:27

The ball is swung over by Elliott Bennett, Eric Lichaj manages to make a clearance.

65:14 Substitution

Substitution Carlos Cuellar goes off and Gary Gardner comes on.

65:14

Long range effort from Bradley Johnson misses to the left of the goal.

63:00

Simeon Jackson takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save. Wesley Hoolahan decides to take a short corner, Kyle Naughton takes a shot from long range which goes wide of the right-hand post.

60:51

Wesley Hoolahan produces a cross, James Collins manages to make a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Elliott Bennett to the near post, Effort on goal by Russell Martin from 12 yards. Centre by Grant Holt, Ryan Bennett takes a shot. Save made by Shay Given.

60:18

A cross is delivered by Simeon Jackson, Eric Lichaj gets a block in. Wesley Hoolahan decides to take the corner short.

59:46

The ball is sent over by Carlos Cuellar, clearance by Russell Martin.

59:03

The ball is swung over by Simon Lappin, James Collins makes a clearance. Kyle Naughton takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

57:34

The ball is sent over by Elliott Bennett.

56:55

Corner taken right-footed by Elliott Bennett, clearance made by Emile Heskey.

55:35

Unfair challenge on Stephen Ireland by Russell Martin results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Barry Bannan from right channel, John Ruddy makes a save.

54:37

Centre by Wesley Hoolahan, James Collins manages to make a clearance.

53:46

Shot on goal comes in from Bradley Johnson from the free kick.

53:46 Booking

Booking The referee shows Ciaran Clark a yellow card.

53:40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Simeon Jackson by Ciaran Clark.

53:15

Grant Holt takes a shot. Blocked by Carlos Cuellar.

52:04

The ball is crossed by Elliott Bennett, Effort from inside the area by Wesley Hoolahan misses to the right of the goal.

50:34

Carlos Cuellar is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by John Ruddy.

48:36

Emile Heskey takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy. Barry Bannan takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Simon Lappin makes a clearance. Stephen Ireland takes a shot. John Ruddy makes a save. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Barry Bannan, clearance made by Ryan Bennett.

48:21

Stephen Ireland takes a shot. Save made by John Ruddy.

47:23

The ball is crossed by Gabriel Agbonlahor, Bradley Johnson makes a clearance.

45:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kyle Naughton by Gabriel Agbonlahor. Kyle Naughton restarts play with the free kick.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Chris Herd leaves the field to be replaced by Barry Bannan.

45:00 +0:16 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

44:02

A cross is delivered by Stephen Warnock, blocked by Kyle Naughton. Stephen Warnock takes the outswinging corner, Kyle Naughton makes a clearance.

42:40

Carlos Cuellar gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jonathan Howson. Free kick crossed left-footed by Bradley Johnson, Richard Dunne makes a clearance. Wesley Hoolahan takes a shot. Save by Shay Given.

41:41

Stephen Ireland gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Elliott Bennett. Russell Martin takes the indirect free kick.

40:17

The ball is delivered by Stephen Warnock, blocked by Bradley Johnson.

39:36

Eric Lichaj takes a shot. Save made by John Ruddy. Corner taken by Stephen Warnock from the left by-line to the near post, Wesley Hoolahan manages to make a clearance.

38:55

Chris Herd fouled by Simeon Jackson, the ref awards a free kick. Carlos Cuellar restarts play with the free kick.

37:57

Stephen Warnock sends in a cross, Ryan Bennett manages to make a clearance.

35:32

Kyle Naughton crosses the ball.

35:06

Bradley Johnson sends in a cross, James Collins manages to make a clearance.

34:23

Elliott Bennett takes a shot. Save made by Shay Given. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Elliott Bennett from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Eric Lichaj.

31:45

Elliott Bennett has shot on goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

30:50

The referee blows for offside. Shay Given restarts play with the free kick.

30:15

The ball is swung over by Stephen Ireland, Elliott Bennett gets a block in. Corner taken by Stephen Warnock played to the near post, save made by John Ruddy.

27:11

Gabriel Agbonlahor gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Simon Lappin. Free kick taken by John Ruddy.

25:33

Simeon Jackson crosses the ball, save made by Shay Given.

25:18

The official flags James Collins offside. Indirect free kick taken by Russell Martin.

24:44

The official flags Simeon Jackson offside. Richard Dunne takes the indirect free kick.

23:40

Wesley Hoolahan produces a cross. Centre by Elliott Bennett, save made by Shay Given.

22:35

Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Herd on Wesley Hoolahan. Russell Martin is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Shay Given.

20:19 Goal scored

Goal - Simeon Jackson - Norwich 2 - 0 A Villa Goal scored by Simeon Jackson from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Norwich 2-0 Aston Villa.

19:34

The official flags Gabriel Agbonlahor offside. Ryan Bennett takes the free kick.

16:13

Unfair challenge on Simeon Jackson by Eric Lichaj results in a free kick. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Simon Lappin, save by Shay Given. Corner taken by Elliott Bennett from the right by-line, Effort from inside the area by Russell Martin misses to the left of the goal.

15:03

The assistant referee signals for offside against Stephen Warnock. Indirect free kick taken by John Ruddy.

13:34

The ball is crossed by Carlos Cuellar, clearance by Russell Martin.

11:51

The ball is sent over by Elliott Bennett, clearance by Carlos Cuellar.

11:17

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Elliott Bennett.

11:02

Jonathan Howson takes a shot. Shay Given makes a save.

10:55

Wesley Hoolahan produces a cross, Eric Lichaj manages to make a clearance.

7:53

The assist for the goal came from Bradley Johnson.

7:53 Goal scored

Goal - Grant Holt - Norwich 1 - 0 A Villa A goal is scored by Grant Holt from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Norwich 1-0 Aston Villa.

7:16

Unfair challenge on Simeon Jackson by James Collins results in a free kick. The ball is swung over by Bradley Johnson,

6:55

Unfair challenge on Grant Holt by Stephen Ireland results in a free kick. Wesley Hoolahan takes the free kick.

6:19 Booking

Booking Grant Holt is booked.

5:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Chris Herd by Grant Holt. Free kick taken by James Collins.

4:56

The ball is swung over by Elliott Bennett.

4:37

The ball is swung over by Elliott Bennett, clearance made by James Collins.

4:10

The ball is swung over by Elliott Bennett, blocked by Eric Lichaj. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Elliott Bennett from the right by-line to the near post, Eric Lichaj manages to make a clearance.

3:32

The ball is delivered by Gabriel Agbonlahor, clearance made by Simon Lappin.

3:04

Handball decision goes against Simeon Jackson. Shay Given takes the free kick.

1:14

A cross is delivered by Carlos Cuellar, Russell Martin gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken by Stephen Warnock from the right by-line played to the near post, Simon Lappin manages to make a clearance. Stephen Ireland has an effort at goal from outside the box missing to the wide left of the goal.

0:09

Simon Lappin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ciaran Clark. Free kick crossed by Stephen Warnock, save made by John Ruddy.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

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