Norwich City midfielder Wes Hoolahan has insisted that he meant no "disrespect" when he decided not to celebrate the goal that he scored against Aston Villa.

The 31-year-old opened the scoring in last Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Villa, who are said to have tried to sign Hoolahan during the January transfer window.

"Obviously it was the first few minutes of the game and you know, when I saw it hit the back of the net I was ecstatic and over the moon with the goal," Hoolahan told the club's official website.

"It's been a difficult few months but I certainly wasn't disappointed about scoring, I was delighted with the goal. I did a fist-pump and throughout the whole game I ran my heart out for the fans and for the team.

"I've got so much respect for the Norwich fans because obviously they've given me a lot of support over the years so I certainly didn't mean to disrespect anybody with the celebration and I'm sorry if anyone's taken it the wrong way because I was over the moon with my goal."

Reports have claimed that Hoolahan was keen to reunite with former boss Paul Lambert at Villa Park.