MY ACCOUNT
Watford beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park to move within four points of safety as they bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Danny Ings came closest to opening the scoring in a goalless first half, curling off the outside of the post after being played in by Emiliano Buendia.
The visitors took the lead when Emmanuel Dennis powered an emphatic header home after Ismaila Sarr stood the ball up to the back post.
Roy Hodgson’s men successfully navigated eight minutes of stoppage time to earn a crucial victory that boosts their survival hopes.
Did you know?
Aston Villa have lost both league meetings with Watford this season, just the second time that the Hornets have achieved a league double over them in the competition (also in 2015-16).
Watford picked up their first league away win since October (5-2 against Everton), while this was their first away win in the English top-flight while also keeping a clean sheet since January 2020 (3-0 against Bournemouth).
After winning two of their first three home league games under Steven Gerrard (L1), Aston Villa are now winless in their last four at Villa Park (D2 L2). This was the first Premier League home game they have failed to score in since May 2021 (against Everton), ending a run of 12.
Watford have kept as many clean sheets in four league games under Roy Hodgson (two) as they had in their previous 36 games in the English top-flight combined.
Dennis has been directly involved in 14 goals for Watford in the league this season (nine goals, five assists), the most by a player in a single campaign in the English top-flight for the Hornets since both Gerard Deulofeu (15) and Troy Deeney (14) did so in 2018-19.
