Following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Stoke, and with the club hovering six points above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone, Hughton concedes this is "a nervy time" for the Canaries.
Since mid-December City have won just two league games, and with only one win in their last eight, they are displaying relegation form.
In fact, you could arguably trace City's demise back to a 4-1 Capital One Cup loss to Villa at Carrow Road in December that ended a 10-game run without defeat as the club were flying high at that time.Chris Hughton: "It's a massive game for us because of the fact we are playing a team around us, so there is a little more significance in the game.
"As for the game back in December, I don't think it has any bearing on the one coming up.
"You might have seen the away game (a 1-1 draw at Villa in October). I don't think there is anybody who saw that who didn't think we were the better team on that day, so the cup game is irrelevent.
"Regardless, it's a tough game at this stage of the season whoever it is against.
"There's some work still to do.
"We've still two home games coming up, which is a plus for us, and it still in our own hands.
"Yes, it's a nervy time for everybody, which is normal.
"Until you are confident you are clear of trouble it's always a bit nervy, a bit apprehensive for everybody.
"We simply have to make sure we do enough in our two home games in particular to get us over the line."