BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Park the bus? No chance, says City chief

Daniel Farke expects whoever lines up for Aston Villa will be a tough nut Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: Paul Chesterton)

Daniel Farke knows the equation is clear on Sunday lunchtime at play-off chasing Villa. A point guarantees the Championship title, and Farke will send his side out with simple instructions.

“We won’t try to park the bus, put the ball over the stand or just look for a clean sheet. Or maybe cheat a bit and try to pretend we are injured. That is not our style or our way,” he said.

“We are good when we are brave and dominate the game and attack. We will be no different at Villa Park.

“I expect Villa to be at their best. I don’t think he will rest players but even if they did the ones coming in would be pretty sure to show they are desperate to be part of it in the play-offs.

Jed Steer moved to Aston Villa after making the breakthrough at Norwich City Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+44814 482222)

“They have many options and players full of class. A side on fire who has not been beaten for months and who will want to finish on a high for some momentum going into those play-offs. It is probably the biggest task we could have.

“But we won’t drive there praying for one point.”

Villa counterpart Dean Smith suggested at his pre-match press call influential duo Tammy Abraham and John McGinn will be rested. Farke has no fresh injury concerns, while Tom Trybull has avoided surgery following the season-ending ankle injury at Stoke City over Easter.

The midfielder should return for the start of pre-season, and Farke admitted his thoughts are already starting to turn towards preparing for the big time.

Tom Trybull will have to wear a protective boot for a few weeks but avoided ankle surgery Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: Paul Chesterton)

“I am more concentrated right now on preparing the players for Villa and then working on individual plans over the break, so they come back in a good shape,” he said. “After that more and more of my time will be looking at the Premier League.

“Stuart (Webber) said it very well when he said we have climbed Everest and we have to go back up again. It is not like we are raising the white flag and saying we do not want to do this.

“The perception will be that with a young group of players and low amounts of money we are perhaps the favourite for relegation, but we will show resilience and try to break the rules again.

“Tom is not available for this final game but all the other lads are. A sign the last three or four days the celebrations were not too bad. No one fell down off the tables or anything like that.”

Norwich City's sporting director Stuart Webber has earned plaudits for his work since sealing promotion Picture: Tony Thrussell/Archant (Image: Archant)