'Dagger in the heart' - Roy Hodgson relieved after Steven Gerrard Aston Villa reunion

Watford manager Roy Hodgson was relieved that his side didn't suffer a "dagger in the heart moment" after taking the lead against Aston Villa on Saturday.

After being denied by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the first half, Emmanuel Dennis made amends in the second 45 by opening the scoring with what turned out to be the winner 12 minutes from time.

In the process, Hodgson recorded a first win as manager of the Hornets since replacing Claudio Ranieri late last month against his former player in Steven Gerrard, who made 18 appearances under the boss during a short stint at Liverpool and received a further 24 caps when both were reunited with England.

"It’s been a very good result for us," Roy Hodgson told BBC Radio 5 Live on Sports Report, "I thought it was a good win, in every respect. I think we worked hard for it. I thought we played some good football along the way.

"And it's then important, of course, that when you're gonna be under siege for that last 10 minutes or so, when they’re loading up with all their forwards, and you’ve got a 1-0 lead to defend, it's so important for the future that you do defend it, because the difference between getting the victory and feeling good about yourself, and conceding that late goal, it's a dagger in the heart moment if you're not careful."

Hodgson added: "It is (satisfying), but there’s such a long way to go.

"The danger is now that we think that we've cracked it and that what we needed to do between now the end of the season has been done because we've come to Aston Villa and won a game. I'm afraid it isn't.

"The next two games are going to be of vital importance again. They will be equally as difficult for us to get a result as it was today, and we're going to