Emmanuel Dennis ends Watford’s winless run at Aston Villa

Emmanuel Dennis ended Watford’s three-month wait for a victory as Roy Hodgson celebrated his first win in charge on the road at Aston Villa.

The Hornets arrived at Villa Park in the midst of the longest current winless run in the Premier League, having picked up just two points in the 11 matches that followed November’s memorable win against Manchester United.

Hodgson replaced Claudio Ranieri during that bleak run and secured his first victory as Watford manager on Saturday afternoon as Dennis headed home a cross from Ismaila Sarr to seal a 1-0 triumph.

Steven Gerrard – who played under Hodgson with Liverpool and England – was left frustrated by the well-drilled visitors, who held firm during a lively Villa start in which Danny Ings saw penalty appeals against Samir turned down.

But Villa huffed and puffed without seriously threatening Ben Foster’s goal, with opposite number Emiliano Martinez having far more to do.

The Argentina international would only be beaten in the 78th minute as Dennis headed home a fine cross from Sarr – the first goal of the Hodgson era and a winning one at that.

Villa supporters’ frustration was clear, both with referee Robert Jones and their team’s display, at the end of a match that they had started brightly.

Ings saw a shock blocked by Craig Cathcart and when Villa swiftly returned to the attack his run on goal ended with him going down under pressure from Samir inside two minutes.

Claims for a penalty were aided by the giant stadium TV screens unusually showing a replay of the contentious incident, but the video assistant referee decided no foul had occurred after reviewing it.

The hosts continued strongly as Ings’ movement caused problems and all-action midfielder John McGinn charged