Aston Villa players told to 'wake up fast' as Steven Gerrard questioned after Watford defeat

Aston Villa 's poor run of form continued as lowly Watford inflicted even more misery on Steven Gerrard 's men as Emmanuel Dennis scored the winner with a little over 10 minutes remaining.

Dennis' close-range header was Watford's first goal in well over 400 minutes and their first under new manager Roy Hodgson, while Villa remain winless at Villa Park since December 5, taking just five points from a possible 21 since beating bottom side Norwich before Christmas.

Watford pounced after Chambers was out-muscled on the halfway line before Imran Louza ran onto the ball, picked his head up and picked out Ismaila Sarr who, after being given the freedom to do so, chipped to Dennis who just wanted it more ahead of Young to nod home from six yards out.

Hodgson's side weren't done there, though, as ex-Villan Tom Cleverley and King had efforts well-saved by Martinez in the Villa goal.

Digne, meanwhile, saw an effort blocked at the back post late on but, in the end, that was your lot with plenty to ponder as Villa travel to Brighton next week now just nine points ahead of 18th-placed Watford.

"It's not too much different from my reaction last week. I'm really frustrated and disappointed with the result and the outcome of the game."

"We've lacked quality in the final third, that's for sure, and I've had a really honest conversation with the players.

"We need to wake up and wake up fast because our recent form and our recent performances are way short in order to move up this table."

Gerrard added: "In previous games we've had that creation, invention and have looked exciting in a lot of games but, certainly, in the last two, I need to demand more of my players in the final third because we're getting into crossing positions.