Aston Villa and Norwich City square off in the Premier League on Boxing Day with both clubs sitting in the relegation zone.
Neither team have registered a win in their last five outings, leaving the hosts three points adrift of safety and the visitors double that number.
Match preview
© Reuters
Villa's decision to hand Dean Smith a new long-term contract was supposed to lead to a period of certainty at the West Midlands outfit as they bid to remain in the Premier League.
However, four top-flight defeats in a row, which extends to seven in nine since October 26, has led to the Villans dropping into the bottom three heading into an important period of the season.
Despite the length of Smith's deal, the boyhood supporter is aware that he is under increasing pressure to turn things around, with a win over Norwich going a long way to securing his future for at least another month.
While reaching the EFL Cup semi-finals has also brought Smith extra time, each of their four victories in that competition has come against weakened opposition.
Should Villa fail to arrest their slide against Norwich, and in the trips to Watford and Burnley which follow, the club's hierarchy may be forced to act having already invested significant funds earlier in the year.
Daniel Farke finds himself in a similar position at Carrow Road, although the German will at least have taken positives from the 2-1 defeat versus Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite taking a 1-0 lead into half time, the Canaries should have been further ahead, and it ultimately cost them as Wolves rallied after the break.
Norwich now sit six points adrift of 17th-placed Southampton, the same deficit which will be established if Villa prevail in the second city on Thursday.
To a certain extent, it is more of a must-not-lose game for the East Anglian outfit, who can ill afford to be cut adrift ahead of upcoming meetings with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
Nevertheless, Farke may feel that it is worth taking a gamble, aware that success against their current nearest rivals could act as the catalyst for a much-improved second half of the season.
Aston Villa form: WLDDDD
Aston Villa form (all competitions): DLLLWL
Norwich City Premier League form: WDLLDL
Team News
© Reuters
Given Villa's recent poor form, Smith may feel ready to hand Jonathan Kodjia an opportunity in the Premier League.
The Ivorian, who has featured for just 75 minutes in the top flight, could be used on the flank or as a partner to Wesley.
With John McGinn having suffered a broken ankle, Jack Grealish may be moved into a central position.
As for Norwich, Farke is unlikely to make any unforced alterations to his team after their showing against Wolves.
Timm Klose, Ben Godfrey and Josip Drmic all remain out of contention.
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Heaton; Guilbert, Engels, Hause, Targett; Luiz, Hourihane; Kodjia, Grealish, Trezeguet; Wesley
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Aarons, Zimmermann, Hanley, Byram; Tettey, Trybull; Buendia, McLean, Cantwell; Pukki
We say: Aston Villa 2-2 Norwich City
With both clubs strongest in attack, there surely must be goals in this match. However, with the stakes relatively high, they could come from mistakes, and we feel that these sides will cancel each other out in a back-and-forth encounter.
Darren Plant
