Watching Norwich lift Championship title will further inspire Aston Villa in play-offs - Conor Hourihane

The Canaries clinched the title courtesy of a 2-1 win at Villa Park on Sunday, with the hosts forming a guard of honour for Daniel Farke’s team as they went to collect the trophy after the game.

Hourihane hopes it has provided some added motivation for Villa as they look to join Norwich in the Premier League next season.

Dean Smith’s men will now take on rivals Albion over two legs in the play-off semi-finals.

Hourihane said: “It was tough, to be honest with you (the guard of honour).

“That is where you want to be and what you want to achieve. We want to be celebrating in there.

“Hopefully it will spur us on and give us that drive, a little extra edge.

“We want to be celebrating in a month’s time, having won the play-offs. First and foremost we have to take care of West Brom, starting at home on Saturday.”

Mario Vrancic’s late winner for Norwich brought to an end Villa’s 12-match unbeaten run, which saw them charge from mid-table to a fifth-placed finish.

Boss Smith made five changes with Jack Grealish and John McGinn among several key players rested.

Hourihane continued: “We were OK against Norwich. It is disappointing to lose, you never want to do that with the good run we are on.

“But I felt we did OK at times. They are a good side and are top of the league for a reason so it was always going to be tough but we put up a decent performance overall.

“It could have been a non-event but I felt both teams had a go. We played well at times, they played well at times. Overall, it wasn’t a bad day.

“There were a lot of changes which makes it a little bit tougher but I felt it was a decent performance overall.

“It is disappointing the run came to an end but now it is time to brush this one under the carpet because we have bigger fish to fry.”