By 
Aston Villa look bereft of confidence as they fall to a 3-0 defeat against Watford.
Words: Regan Foy | @findfoy
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Aston Villa travelled to Vicarage Road for their second game in as many days against relegation-zone bound sides.
Watford started the better of the two sides, winning a corner within the first thirty or so seconds, which resulted in Tom Heaton making a strong reflex save against a shot from Kabasele.
The opening 20 or so minutes were stale, with neither side really offering much in their opposition’s half – but Aston Villa were struggling to get out of theirs at times.
Wesley was denied his first headed goal for Aston Villa in the 24th minute as Hourihane looped a cross onto the face of goal, where the Brazilian headed towards the net but was denied by a strong foot from Ben Foster.
Troy Deeney had an opportunity to score five minutes before half time from five yards out, but side-footed his shot directly at Tom Heaton.
Deeney made no mistake just 30 seconds later as Aston Villa created their own problems as Ezri Konsa was charged down by Deeney and the deflected ball fell to Doucoure – who fired towards goal but the shot was saved by Heaton, and directly into the path of Deeney who fired under Heaton. The ball would likely have been stopped by Hause on the line if it had not been for the ball hitting Heaton’s underarm and changing the direction of the ball.
Anwar El Ghazi replaced Jota at half time for Aston Villa.
In the first ten or so minutes, the most major thing to happen was Mariappa being sent for an early bath for a second yellow card for a late challenge on Henri Lansbury.
As a result of this, Nathaniel Chalobah – who only came onto the pitch at half-time, was replaced by Craig Dawson in the 58th.
Watford were awarded a penalty in the 64th minute as Douglas Luiz bundled Troy Deeney to the ball as Matt Targett lay injured on the floor – with Aston Villa almost expecting Watford to put the ball out of play.
Troy Deeney scored from the spot, as Matt Targett limped away and was replaced by Frederic Guilbert.
Sarr wrapped things up for Watford at Vicarage Road in the 70th minute with a strong finish past Tom Heaton, with Grealish ‘fouled’ in the build-up.
Jonathan Kodjia replaced Henri Lansbury in the 72nd minute.
The early period of the last ten minutes pretty much summed up Aston Villa’s game as Conor Hourihane slammed a free-kick into a one-man wall.
After five minutes of added time, the game finished and Aston Villa find themselves bereft of confidence.
