'Heaped misery' - National media react as Aston Villa defeated by Watford

Aston Villa's poor run of form continued with a 1-0 defeat against Watford at Villa Park on Saturday.

The relegation-threatened Hornets took all three points from a drab encounter in the Midlands which saw Steven Gerrard's side suffer a fourth Premier League defeat in their last seven games.

Villa have now only won one Premier League game since mid-December and haven't won at home in four attempts.

Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis broke the deadlock at Villa Park with a header on the 78th minute and that was all that separated the sides as Villa failed to respond to their late setback.

Here is how the national media reported the game.

Daniel Matthews of the Daily Mail said: "At long, long last. A first goal, a first win and, really, the first signs of life in Roy Hodgson’s attempt to drag Watford back to shore.

"After the storm, that sailor — summoned by the mermaid’s siren call to Vicarage Road — has some wind in his sails.

"If it feels like an age since Hodgson offered that bizarre explanation for taking this job, spare a thought for Watford’s supporters. They had sat through 441 minutes without seeing the right net bulge. They had not enjoyed three points since November.

"No wonder, then, that the pocket of travelling yellow at Villa Park abandoned all dignity after Emmanuel Dennis snuck in at the back post to head home with 12 minutes left.

"Their 12-game winless run is over, the gap to safety is now only four points. Instead, Hodgson heaped more misery at the foot of his former England captain.

"The worst run of Steven Gerrard’s coaching career goes on. That is now one win in eight matches for Aston Villa."

BBC Sport’s Joe Rindl said: "Having started his reign at Villa with four wins from six matches, manager