NORWICH'S slump continued when they were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Villa.

For a long spell the long-time league leaders rarely looked like scoring and improving their record of just one goal in the last five matches.

And It was the visitors who produced the best efforts, kept out capably by 20- year-old debut Norwich goalkeeper Jon Sheffield.

Norwich were without regular keeper Brian Gunn and striker Robert Fleck (both suspended) and Robert Rosario and Trevor Putney.

Andy Townsend launched Norwich on their most promising attack after eight minutes with a sweeping pass Dale Gordon on the right but while his cross was good one. Steve Sims had Dean Coney well covered.

Norwich showed little evidence of relieving their slump against a more committed Villa side who almost grabbed a tenth-minute lead through striker Allan Mclnally.

He picked up on good work David Platt and lan Olney before swivelling on the edge of the area and fly with a shot which the young goalkeeper was relieved to batter away.

Villa, hustling all the time never gave Norwich lime to settle and when Nigel Callaghan nipped in after 17 minutes and chipped over Sheffield it looked as if they scored, but the effort drifted just wide.

Norwich at last began to show flashes of attractive football but when Gordon brilliantly beat Evans on the by-line before producing a superb cross Coney pumped his header high over the bar.

Villa had had to reorganise after 39 minutes when Gordon Cowans, catching the dithering Crook possession, hurt himself in the process and had to be replaced by lan Ormondroyd,

Norwich almost snatched the half time lead with a strong shot from Townsend which went just wide.

Two goals in a minute from Dean Coney and Andy Townsend transformed Norwich's spirits, though they were fortunate not to fall behind right at the start of the second half when Callaghan intercepted Bowen's pass and ran through, only to be stopped on the edge of the box by lan Butterworth.

In the 48th minute. Dean Coney broke the deadlock with a first goat since his £350,000 move from QPR.

Townsend sent him chasing clear, goalkeeper Spink raced off his line and won the dash the ball but crashed it straight against the Norwich forward and stood helpless as it cannoned back over his head and into the empty net.

Villa were still coming to terms with that when Gordon set off on a jinking run from the right to set up Townsend drive in the second.

Mclnally had part play in the 62nd minute move that led lan Olney scoring his second goal three games. Mclnally got the slightest of touches to Callaghan s right wing cross to help the ball on the unmarked Olney.

Alan Mclnally equalised for Aston Villa with his 22nd goal of the season and first 12 matches after 69 minutes.