A dissapointing performance at Carrow Road saw Villa slip to their second consecutive away defeat.
Bruce once again changed his line-up, with Ashley Westwood replacing Gary Gardner in the central midfield, whilst Gabby Agbonlahor surprisingly replaced Albert Adomah.
Villa failed to pose a threat to a Norwich side that had only won one of their past nine games, but the sides went into the break level.
However, the second-half saw a revitalized Norwich side begin to probe Villa’s defence and Alex Neil’s side were unlucky not to go ahead through Robby Brady in the 60th minute, but the Irishman’s left footed shot went wide off the post.
Less than two minutes later, the Canaries were deservedly ahead. Gabby Agbonlahor lost the ball and Norwich streamed forward, with Nelson Oliveria slotting his strike into the corner of the Villa net with Gollini stranded.
Bruce attempted to turn the tide Villa’s way, with McCormack, Gestede and Adomah all brought on as Villa searched for an equalizer but to no avail.
The defeat leaves Villa in 13th, six points behind Sheffield Wednesday in sixth place ahead of Sunday’s trip to West London to play QPR.
