Aston Villa 0-1 Watford: Emmanuel Dennis’ late winner hands Hornets first win since November

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.

Emmanuel Dennis’ late header handed Watford a 1-0 win away at Aston Villa on Saturday

They do not enjoy many days like this — Watford’s last six Premier League away wins have now come under six different managers.

But once this victory was confirmed, the away end’s gallows humour finally made way for songs of defiance. They believe again.

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.

Dennis struck with 12 minutes to go at Villa Park to deliver Watford’s first win since November

The Hornets had not claimed victory since their 4-1 win over Man United three months ago

There is sign of life in Roy Hodgson’s relegation-threatened side after Saturday’s display

They dominated the ball and Danny Ings hit a post, having earlier been denied a penalty.

But only one of Villa’s 20 shots tested Ben Foster and come the final whistle Tyrone Mings was forced to placate furious supporters, some of whom booed Gerrard’s side off.

Watford dealt in quality rather than quantity. They created two of the game’s clearest chances even before Dennis scored. They could have netted a second thereafter, too. In the end, they did not need it.

‘A good performance,’ Hodgson said. But the manager does not yet share supporters’ optimism about relegation.

‘We’re getting divorced from the teams above us, so I don’t think it’s close at all.’

Gerrard was even more downbeat. ‘I’m really frustrated and disappointed,’ he said.

‘I’ve had a really honest conversation with the players. We need to wake up and wake up fast because our recent form and our recent performances are way short.’

Villa have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League under Steven Gerrard

Villa must be sick of the sight of Hodgson — he now has nine Premier League victories against them.

He is also the first coach to beat the same Premier League team with six different clubs.

The first cause for Villa frustration came after only two minutes, when Ings tumbled in the area.

It was a clumsy challenge by Samir but referee Robert Jones said no penalty. Ings and the home crowd were incensed. Their mood hardly improved when a replay appeared on the big screen. Eventually VAR did intervene, but cheers soon turned back to jeers after the decision stood.

‘Nine times out of 10 outside the box you get a foul for that,’ Gerrard said. But, the Villa boss admitted, worrying about that decision would be ‘clutching at straws’.

He is right. Villa had enough openings. They came closest on the half hour, when Ings’ shot clipped a post. But it was Watford who mustered the first half’s only effort on target. It started from their own box and owed much to the ingenuity of Ismaila Sarr.

Gerrard now has a big job on his hands to turn Villa’s recent poor fortunes around

The returning winger scooped the ball over one player, turned past another and then fed Dennis, who raced into the box, cut inside two defenders but was denied by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Even after the game grew bitty, Watford carried a threat. Hodgson’s side really should have led after Josh King slid in Moussa Sissoko. With Dennis waiting at the back post, Sissoko fired into the side-netting.

But Dennis was not deterred. At the end of another break, Watford’s top scorer took up the same position and this time Sarr found his man.