Premier League Outfit Relegated to Championship for Record Sixth Time After Defeat to Aston Villa

Premier League Outfit Relegated to Championship for Record Sixth Time After Defeat to Aston Villa

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:01 PM
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  • Norwich City were relegated from the Premier League for third straight season immediately after promotion
  • The Canaries’ fate was sealed following a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park
  • Watford were beaten by a resurgent Burnley in the other game, meaning Norwich cannot escape relegation

Norwich City have been relegated from the Premier League for a record sixth time after a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa park.

That result, coupled with Burnley’s emphatic 2-1 win over Watford, meant the Canaries cannot mathematically climb out of the relegation zone.

Norwich City, Premier League
Grant Hanley of Norwich City looks dejected following their side's defeat and relegation to the Championship. Photo by Marc Atkins.
Source: Getty Images

It proved to be an unhappy return to Villa Park for Norwich boss Dean Smith, who could not stop his new team from succumbing to goals from Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings.

Norwich City back in the Championship, how it happened

A look at Norwich City's season in hindsight will reveal that relegation was a real possibility from early on.

They have only managed five wins this season so far and have the worst defensive record in the league, having conceded a staggering 71 goals after the Villa defeat.

In addition, they have a combined lowest in terms of shots (336), shots on target (100) and shot conversion rate (7%).

For Aston Villa’s opening goal, Norwich failed to clear a hopeful long ball from the hosts, and Brandon Williams was outmuscled by Ollie Watkins who went on to score.

Danny Ings would go on to add another one late in stoppage time.

Liverpool, Man City make statements in title race

At the top of the table, Manchester City and Liverpool both made bold statements in their battle for Premier League supremacy with wins against Leeds United and Newcastle respectively.

Liverpool played in the early kick off were they saw off the Magpies thanks to a lone goal from Naby Keita, while Manchester City also kept a clean sheet as they defeated Leeds in the final game of Saturday, April 10.

City remain top of the pile with 83 points, with Liverpool following close behind on 82 points.

Both sides have four games of the season remaining, and it is likely the race for the title will go down to the wire.

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Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.