Troy Deeney has scored in two of his last three Premier League games
Watford's revival under new manager Nigel Pearson continued as the Hornets survived being reduced to 10 men to beat relegation rivals Aston Villa 3-0 and move within three points of safety.
The Hornets played for more than half an hour with 10 men after defender Adrian Mariappa was sent off following two yellow cards in the space of six minutes.
Watford were leading 1-0 when Mariappa was sent off - Hornets captain Troy Deeney reacting quickest to slot home after Tom Heaton had palmed away Abdoulaye Doucoure's shot following a mistake by Ezri Konsa.
Deeney doubled the lead from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Douglas Luiz before the impressive Ismaila Sarr added the third from Etienne Capoue's cross.
Villa were upset the penalty for Watford's second goal was awarded as defender Matt Targett was down injured, while the visitors were also aggrieved about the third goal as they felt Jack Grealish was fouled by Capoue in the build-up.
However, Sarr's goal was allowed to stand after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
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Has Watford's great escape started?
Villa to add signings in January
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Watford
26Foster
6MariappaBooked at 57mins
27Kabasele
15CathcartSubstituted forMasinaat 85'minutes
21Femenía
29CapoueBooked at 74mins
19HughesSubstituted forChalobahat 45'minutesSubstituted forDawsonat 60'minutes
23SarrBooked at 84mins
16Doucouré
7Deulofeu
9DeeneyBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
1Gomes
4Dawson
11Masina
14Chalobah
18Gray
20Quina
22Success
Aston Villa
1Heaton
27El Mohamady
15Konsa
30Hause
18TargettSubstituted forGuilbertat 66'minutes
6Douglas Luiz
14Hourihane
23JotaSubstituted forEl Ghaziat 45'minutes
8LansburySubstituted forKodjiaat 73'minutes
10GrealishBooked at 90mins
9Wesley
Substitutes
5Chester
11Nakamba
17Trézéguet
21El Ghazi
24Guilbert
25Nyland
26Kodjia
Referee:
Simon Hooper
Attendance:
21,348
Match Stats
Home TeamWatfordAway TeamAston Villa
Possession
Home49%
Away51%
Shots
Home20
Away11
Shots on Target
Home7
Away2
Corners
Home6
Away3
Fouls
Home16
Away9
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Watford 3, Aston Villa 0.
Full TimePosted at 90'+7'
Second Half ends, Watford 3, Aston Villa 0.
BookingPosted at 90'+6'
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 90'+5'
Foul by Frederic Guilbert (Aston Villa).
Posted at 90'+5'
Ismaila Sarr (Watford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 90'+4'
Foul by Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa).
Posted at 90'+4'
Ismaila Sarr (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
BookingPosted at 90'+2'
Troy Deeney (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 90'+2'
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90'+2'
Foul by Troy Deeney (Watford).
Posted at 88'
Attempt missed. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Frederic Guilbert.
Posted at 86'
VAR Decision: No card change Gerard Deulofeu (Watford).
Posted at 85'
Foul by Gerard Deulofeu (Watford).
Posted at 85'
Ezri Konsa Ngoyo (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 85'
Substitution, Watford. Adam Masina replaces Craig Cathcart because of an injury.
Posted at 84'
Attempt missed. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left following a set piece situation.
BookingPosted at 84'
Ismaila Sarr (Watford) is shown the yellow card.
Posted at 83'
Foul by Ismaila Sarr (Watford).
Posted at 83'
Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 80'
Attempt blocked. Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ahmed El Mohamady.
Posted at 78'
Attempt saved. Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Posted at 75'
Hand ball by Etienne Capoue (Watford).
BookingPosted at 74'
Etienne Capoue (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 74'
Foul by Etienne Capoue (Watford).
Posted at 74'
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 74'
Attempt blocked. Troy Deeney (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gerard Deulofeu.
Posted at 73'
Foul by Troy Deeney (Watford).
Posted at 73'
Kortney Hause (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 73'
Substitution, Aston Villa. Jonathan Kodjia replaces Henri Lansbury.
Posted at 71'
VAR Decision: Goal Aston Villa - Watford 3-0 Aston Villa (Jack Grealish).
Goal!Posted at 71'
Goal! Watford 3, Aston Villa 0. Ismaila Sarr (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Etienne Capoue following a fast break.
Goal!Posted at 67'
Goal! Watford 2, Aston Villa 0. Troy Deeney (Watford) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
SubstitutionPosted at 66'
Substitution, Aston Villa. Frederic Guilbert replaces Matt Targett because of an injury.
Posted at 64'
VAR Decision: Penalty Watford.
Posted at 63'
Penalty Watford. Troy Deeney draws a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 63'
Penalty conceded by Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) after a foul in the penalty area.
Posted at 62'
Attempt blocked. Anwar El Ghazi (Aston Villa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Grealish.
Posted at 62'
Attempt blocked. Anwar El Ghazi (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Grealish.
Posted at 60'
Offside, Aston Villa. Wesley tries a through ball, but Ahmed El Mohamady is caught offside.
SubstitutionPosted at 60'
Substitution, Watford. Craig Dawson replaces Nathaniel Chalobah.
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Source: bbc.com