Finally, Watford threw a punch and it landed. Little wonder their travelling supporters celebrated wildly when Emmanuel Dennis nodded Ismaïla Sarr’s late cross past Emi Martínez; 440 minutes had passed since they last felt euphoria.
On an afternoon where one goal always felt like being enough, it earned a precious three points. Roy Hodgson’s side are still embroiled in a relegation scrap but there were flickers of hope for the first time in a while.
The worry in recent weeks had not been Watford jabs missing, but a complete inability to throw them. Instead, they had taken blows on what is admittedly a much strong chin of late, praying to avoid a knockout.
Dennis himself has been guilty, but his ninth goal of the campaign ensured it would not be a dozen league games without a win. Crazily Watford’s last six top flight away victories have come under the same number of managers. “I was pleased with our composure on the ball,” said Hodgson. “We showed a lot more confidence to get on the ball, to pass the ball, to look to create chances. The balance between attack and defence was better.”
Aston Villa fans will be puzzled by what happened to the razor-sharp attacking instincts that enabled them to put three past Leeds 10 days before. Ben Foster will scarcely earn a more comfortable Premier League clean sheet. “We need to wake up and wake up fast,” said Steven Gerrard. “Our recent performances are way short of what is needed.”
After last week’s tepid display at Newcastle, Gerrard made clear he expected a rapid start. What he got was zippy and adventurous but missing quality. He had hinted at a much-changed line-up but in the end there was just one: Danny Ings for Ollie Watkins. Ings had a shot blocked by Craig Cathcart inside the opening minute before winning a corner under pressure from Samir. Replays brought audible dissatisfaction from the majority of Villa Park but VAR did not overturn the decision. Gerrard refused to clutch at straws.
Ings hit the base of a post after Emi Buendía’s defence-splitting nudge, although it transpired he had mistimed his run. Otherwise Villa were restricted to strikes from distance, Lucas Digne coming closest with a free-kick that bent round the wall but did not come back far enough to trouble Foster. The fizz by then was already flat. “Nineteen shots at goal today but only one on target; for me that’s a quality issue” said Gerrard. “People have got to stand up and be counted.”
Watford arrived late and started slowly save for Cathcart who several times nipped early danger in the bud. Not one for headlines or fanfare, the centre-back will never be under-appreciated by Hornets’ fans.
They did, though, have their crown jewel, Sarr fit and available to start for the first time since November. Hodgson had literally clipped his team’s wings with a narrow midfield four in his opening three games, but with Sarr back they reverted to a 4-3-3 formation and with it came width and the ability to counter.
Sarr and Dennis had tormented Aston Villa in the reverse fixture in August, and were the likeliest sources again for Watford. They combined on the break before the interval, the former finding the latter in acres of space; Martínez palmed the strike away. As time passed, visiting belief grew. After another break Moussa Sissoko blazed into the side netting. An unmarked Dennis was not amused but it would not be long before he was smiling again.
