HEIR WE GO!
IT was a performance fit for a king – a future king.
Yes, Villa fan Prince William took the family for an afternoon out in Norfolk and couldn’t have timed it better as Dean Smith’s men came good – as if by royal appointment.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat in the sunshine and watched Jack Grealish & Co run riot against the injury- ravaged Canaries.
And they witnessed a historic moment as Smith’s side ended their 1,519-day wait for an away victory in the top flight.
Doing so in such a regal manner was the icing on the cake for Villa’s boss.
He said: “I was told Prince William was here – I’ll have to get him a ticket for the next game.
“We will get them some tickets to make sure they keep coming. It’s great to have them as supporters, it gives everyone a lift at the club.
“I know he’s been to a few matches – but this is the first league game of mine he’s been to.” Villa were in ruthless mood – although this could have ended up a basketball score as it simply wasn’t the Canaries’ day.
In goal, they fielded third-choice keeper Michael McGovern and had eight absentees besides.
It showed.
They were still bright and energetic going forward – but it was one calamity after another at the back.
Villa scored five, missed a penalty and could have had more.
Despite the severity of the scoreline, Norwich played on the front foot until the end. They began the afternoon by giving the ball away in a bad area inside two minutes – on that occasion John McGinn let them off – but t he theme continued.
The rot set in when Norwich defender Ben Godfrey switched off in the 14th minute, allowing Wesley to chest down Anwar El Ghazi’s shot before slotting home.
Then Matt Targett c charged down the left. C Conor Hourihane stopped h his half-hit cross and did the job properly for Wesley to add his second. When Hourihane was tripped for a penalty, the big Brazilian grabbed the ball only for McGovern to save.
After the break it was g ame ov e r. Grealish produced a lovely finish, allowing the ball to run across his body before slotting home.
Hourihane added a fourth with a rasping shot from the edge of the area after Norwich were again robbed of possession. And sub Douglas Luiz curled home a beauty for the fifth before Josip Drmic grabbed Norwich’s late consolation.
Norwich boss Daniel Farke said: “It’s a tough day – without any doubt. We have been able to show we have beaten the odds in the last few weeks. If I’m honest, you can’t do this on a weekly basis.
“We had too many mistakes. In general we created more than they did. But the mistakes weren’t good.”