Emmanuel Dennis sinks Villa to give Watford hope in fight for survival

Finally, Watford threw a punch and it landed. It is little wonder their travelling supporters celebrated wildly. After all, when Emmanuel Dennis nodded Ismaïla Sarr’s cross past Emi Martínez, 440 minutes had passed since they last saw their side score.

The worry in recent weeks had not been flailing arms but a complete inability to jab. Instead, they had been taking blows on what is, under Roy Hodgson, admittedly a much stronger chin, and praying to avoid a knockout.

Dennis himself had been guilty, failing to register a shot on target in his last four matches. But his ninth goal of the season was enough to seal a precious three points. After 11 winless games, it could not have been timelier. Crazily Watford’s last half-dozen top-flight away wins have come under the same number of managers.

Aston Villa fans must wonder what happened to the razor sharp attacking instincts evident in their 3-3 draw with Leeds ten days ago. Ben Foster will scarcely ‘earn’ a more comfortable Premier League clean sheet.

Following the worst display of his tenure in defeat at Newcastle, Steven Gerrard made clear he expected a rapid start. What he got was zippy – John McGinn fizzed into a pair of early crowd-pleasing challenges – and adventurous.

Having hinted at a much-changed line up, it ended up being just one; Ollie Watkins replaced by Danny Ings who was an energetic talisman, intent on linking midfield and attack. Having seen a shot blocked by Craig Cathcart inside the opening minute, he won a corner moments later under pressure from Samir. Replays brought audible dissatisfaction from the majority of Villa Park but VAR did not overturn the decision.

Ings hit the base of a post following Emi Buendía’s defence-splitting nudge, although it