Nelson Oliveira scored for the third successive match as Norwich beat Aston Villa to earn just their second victory in their last eight Championship games.
City took control after the interval and Oliveira placed a 25-yard shot into the corner following a purposeful run.
A drab first half saw only two shots on target - both by the hosts.
But the Canaries then upped the tempo and Robbie Brady went close, before Oliveria struck to ensure a second defeat in three matches for Villa.
A goalmouth scramble almost saw Villa snatch an equaliser in injury time, but that was just about the only noteworthy chance they created in a lacklustre display.