Norwich City's Under-23s were beaten 2-0 away to Aston Villa in the Premier League 2 Division Two on Monday night, first-team squad members Christos Tzolis, Ozan Kabak and Jonathan Rowe all included in Alan Neilson's side.
Rowe had the first chance of the game, showing composure to keep the ball under pressure from three claret and blue shirts before forcing a decent save from Viljami Sinisalo.
Rowe then missed the target moments later, curling wide of the post on his left foot after cutting inside from the right wing.
Carney Chukwuemeka missed a similar chance at the other end for the hosts before Norwich should have taken the lead.
Abu Kamara timed his run well to stay onside and Tzolis perfectly weighted his ball forward. Kamara was unable to beat Sinisalo and the rebound fell kindly for Tzolis, who shot an inviting opportunity over the bar.
Dylan Berry was called into action for the first time in the 27th minute, racing off his line to prevent Brad Young from getting a good shot away from close range.
Rowe had a good cross palmed away by Sinisalo before Ben Chrisene dragged a shot wide at the other end.
Liam Gibbs tried his luck from distance, but the strike was a simple catch for Sinisalo and the sides went into half-time level.
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Villa took the lead almost immediately after the interval, half-time substitute Paul Appiah bursting down the right wing and pulling the ball back for Taylor-Jay Hart to pick out the bottom left corner.
Berry then made a good save to deny Jayden Barber before Kamara hit the post when he received a well-timed pass from Rowe.
City looked more dangerous in the second half without being clinical enough, Tzolis missing a couple of chances just beyond the hour mark.
Gibbs then spotted an intelligent run made by Flynn Clarke, the latter seeing his shot saved at the near post.
Tony Springett had another attempt saved before Kabak timed a slide tackle well to prevent Chukwuemeka from doubling Villa's lead.
Rowe, Clarke and Tzolis all shot wide towards the end of the second half, Villa giving the ball away frequently in their own defensive third.
Young broke away on the counter for the home side in stoppage time, but Berry made another important save. However, one minute later, Young had another opportunity, which he smashed past the City goalkeeper for 2-0.
Tim Iroegbunam was sent off with a second yellow card for a foul on Tzolis in the game's dying embers, the City winger shooting the free-kick over the bar.
Aston Villa: Sinisalo, Barber, Smith, Feeney, Chrisene (Appiah 46), Iroegbunam, Hart, Lindley (C) (Goodridge 87), O'Reilly, Chukwuemeka, Young
Subs not used: Zych, Ealing, Afoka
Goals: Hart (48), Young (90+3)
Bookings: Iroegbunam (43), Appiah (50), Feeney (85)
Norwich City: Berry, Riley (Giurgi 68), Tomkinson (C), Kabak, Earley (Matos 84), Gibbs, Clarke, Springett, Tzolis, Kamara, Rowe
Subs not used: Rose, Aboh, Warner
Goals: None
Bookings: Gibbs (47), Giurgi (72), Springett (90+2)
HT: 0-0
Venue: Villa Park