MATCH FACTS Deeney’s such a yummy Brummie BIRMINGHAM FAN TROY LOVES TO HATE VILLA... AND IT SHOWS!
WATFORD
2
ASTON VILLA
TROY DEENEY fired up Watford’s hopes of a Great Escape – against the team he loves to hate.
The Hornets talisman and diehard Birmingham City fan took his Premier League goal tally against Aston Villa to five in three games with two vital strikes.
A third goal from Ismaila Sarr and a wonder-save from Ben Foster helped haul 10-man Watford to within two points of their victims.
But this was a catastrophic afternoon for Dean Smith and Villa – whose fans suffered the extra pain of chief tormentor Deeney mercilessly taunting them after his opener.
They have now lost five of their last six matches and look hopelessly out of form.
Villa’s manager Smith is under mounting pressure already and this result and display clearly cut him to the core.
But how Watford have missed Deeney for most of this season following knee injury and surgery. The skipper now looks to hold the key to any survival chances.
Watford boss Nigel Pearson, after making it seven points from his last three games, said: “Troy is such an important player for us.
“He brings qualities to the side we need. He loves the pressure and loves to make a fight of the game – and he is always a handful to play against.
“He is still not at his best, so it speaks volumes he has scored three in three games. He is someone who can ignite the fans, is a focal point and can excite the crowd.
“I am really pleased he is back and fit and scoring goals – but there were a lot of other good performances out there today.
“To get out of the situation we are in, it will take a concerted effort. It will be about unity as a club. It is a start with recent results, but we haven’t cracked it by a long way.
“The result was always going to be most important but we played at a good tempo. We had to do everything to win this game, and let’s not forget
■ Watford have won seven points in their last three Premier League games (W2 D1), as many as they had from the previous 36 points available in the competition (W1 D4 L7). the great save from Ben Foster.” The Hornets keeper made his wonderstop from Wesley on 25 minutes.
Conor Hourihane flighted the ball into the box and Foster miraculously turned over the Brazilian’s downward header – right out of the late Gordon Banks’ repertoire.
Deeney was guilty of a terrible
■ Nigel Pearson has won seven points in his four games as Watford boss. Only one Hornets manager has picked up more points in their first four PL games – Marco Silva, with eight. miss after being set up by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s flick after 40 minutes – but he made amends.
It was Doucoure again providing – an angled drive from 20 yards was saved by Heaton, but Deeney was first to the rebound and his scuffed shot crawled inside the far post.
Adrian Mariappa was booked after 50 minutes for a cynical block on Grealish – and soon after saw a second yellow for a foul on Henri Lansbury.
But Watford extended their edge with Villa’s Matt Targett on the floor injured after 65 minutes after Deeney surged into the area and was felled by Douglas Luiz. Deeney smashed the spot-kick down the middle.
Just four minutes later it was three, as Etienne Capoue crossed perfectly for Sarr to finish at the back post.
Villa boss Smith said: “We always knew that this was going to be a tough season. Am I thinking about my future? No, I am thinking about the next game.”