Ings double is sting in tail for Hornets

Danny Ings struck twice as Southampton rebounded from their lacklustre performance against Arsenal with a comfortable win at struggling Watford.

Saints had lost their last match 2-0 at home to Arsenal on Thursday, but manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said before yesterday’s trip to Watford he expected a response, and his team duly delivered.

Ings got Southampton off to a dream start, firing in his 20th goal of the season in the 16th minute, before adding a second just after the second-half drinks break to become the first player to score 10 away goals in the Premier League this season

The Hornets pulled one back towards the end of the match when Jan Bednarek turned a Jose Holebas cross into his own net.

However, Southampton’s twogoal lead was restored less than three minutes later when James Ward-Prowse struck his fifth goal of the season with an impressive free-kick.

Watford have struggled since the restart and have now taken just one point from their last three matches and are precariously placed with just one point separating them from the Premier League relegation zone.

In Saturday’s game, Leander Dendoncker maintained Wolves’ Champions League charge and plunged Aston Villa deeper into relegation trouble.

The Belgium international struck midway through the second half to earn the visitors a 1-0 win at Villa Park and close the gap on the top four.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side moved up to fifth above Manchester United in the Premier League and are just two points behind Chelsea after a third straight win.

In contrast, Villa, winless since January, remain second bottom on goal difference having played a game more than rivals Bournemouth and West Ham.

Tonight’s game sees a mid-table battle when Burnley visit Crystal Palace.