Scott Heavey/Getty ImagesVilla Park hosted a physical and tense battle between Paul Lambert's current and former club, one that ended with honors respectably shared.

It was fitting perhaps that after all the hyperbole surrounding Norwich City past and present, the spoils in Saturday's lunchtime Premier League clash at Aston Villa were evenly shared.

Paul Lambert's former Canary charges dominated possession for long spells but needed Joe Bennett's early second-half dismissal to turn their overwhelming territorial control into a tangible reward.

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Christian Benteke had escaped the attentions of City centre back duo Michael Turner and Sebastien Bassong in the first period to slot past John Ruddy, but Turner eventually made amends in thrilling fashion. The big centre back had been vilified in some sections of Norwich's support after two (by his own admission) poor Premier League outings for the club he joined this past summer. Yet Turner's rehabilitation -- after a much-improved showing in last week's first win of the season against Arsenal -- was complete when he rose like a predatory striker to glance home Wes Hoolahan's cross in the 79th minute.

Lambert's new side showed courage and plenty of battling spirit to frustrate City for long spells but in the end, Villa was indebted to Brad Guzan's heroics. The American keeper underlined why he is keeping out the experienced Shay Given with a wonderfully agile left-toe save to deny Hoolahan in the opening period, before advancing again to frustrate Grant Holt during City's most productive second-half spell.

Norwich's large travelling contingent opted to fete Chris Hughton rather than berate the man who had left in such acrimonious fashion during the summer. Lambert entered the arena unmolested from the away fans on the opposite side of the ground, the ones that used to hero worship him, as he made his way to the home dugout through a phalanx of photographers.

Hughton and his predecessor had both stressed during the build-up that the focus should be on the player on the pitch but in truth, the match failed to live up to the pre-match hype until Bennett was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 52nd minute when he held back namesake Joe Elliott.

Villa retreated even deeper around Guzan's goal but Norwichw ere still struggling to penetrate until Holt raced clear only to strike the grounded keeper. Seconds later, Hughton's side were level -- but there was to be no grandstand finish. No frenetic finale. Robert Snodgrass clipped Ryan Bennett's header onto the roof of Guzan's net in stoppage time but the sporadic precision that had marked much of Norwich's early-game work was again evident in the final minutes.

Hughton and many of the players Lambert left behind in Norfolk may well have signed for a point before a ball had been kicked. Yet there will be an undeniable sense of frustration they did not follow up that landmark Arsenal success with a first road league win of 2012-13. You suspect the likes of Holt and Hoolahan would have liked nothing better than to pile the pressure on Lambert's shoulders after a tough start to his Villa reign. That is not a mark of disrespect, more a recognition of the steely edge the Scot brought to a club in decline and languishing in the lower reaches of League One.

This contest in the West Midlands was not just about league points, it was also an affirmation just how far Norwich City and Paul Lambert have come since parting ways. In that spirit of competitive battle, when the dust settles an honourable draw will surely suit both parties.

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