Norwich City defender Ben Gibson admits they weren't good enough for defeat to Aston Villa.

After an initially bright start to life under Dean Smith, the Canaries have now lost three games on the spin and scored just once in five games, to leave them bottom of the Premier League.

"At times we haven't had the results but we've felt our performances were growing, particularly since the manager has come in," said Gibson, after there had been positives in the losses to Tottenham and Manchester United.

“I think every game, every day, has looked better. We've looked more of a threat, more resolute. Our performances – apart from tonight – have probably warranted more points than what we've actually got.

“But we let ourselves down. We weren't at it, we looked lethargic. To a man, we didn't lay a glove on them, and that's the frustrating thing. We've come off our levels and, to be honest, we didn't deserve a result.

“If you give teams with that quality 45 minutes to get going in this league, you're going to get punished. We gave it a go in the second half, I thought we were much better, much improved, but again we lacked the quality to get that goal and really get us back in the game.

“But we gave it a go and that's what we've got to do and get back to because the performance first half just wasn't acceptable."