THE equation really is very simple. Troy Deeney+Aston Villa = goals.
In the Villa net, that is. The Watford hitman, a Birmingham City fan as a lad, tortured his old foes with the first two strikes on a horrible afternoon for Dean Smiths strugglers.
Troy Deeney scored twice in the win over Aston Villa – he now has five goals in three games against them
That makes five goals in Deeneys last three games against Villa.
And the bigger picture makes even better reading for resurgent Watford, who scored twice after Adrian Mariappa was sent off in the 57th minute.
Things are moving under new boss Nigel Pearson, Watford have taken seven points from three holiday matches so far. That is just two fewer than they had before Pearsons arrival this month.
Yes, the Hornets are still three points from safety. But back on December 4, that margin was a massive seven points.
The Great Escape could just be on after Deeneys 42nd-minute opener, which he followed up with a 67th-minute penalty,
then came Ismaila Sarrs strike.
Watford looked up for it from the start, going straight on the attack. Will Hughes forced a corner before there was a minute on the clock.
Hughes took the kick himself and found Deeney, whose downward header set up Christian Kabasele for a shot from 10 yards out.
But the centre-back fired straight at Tom Heaton in the Villa goal.
Fellow strugglers Villa, sitting five points clear of Watford at kick-off, forced a couple of corners but could not trouble home keeper Ben Foster.
Watford swept forward again as full-back Kiko Femenia released the speedy Gerard Deulofeu down the left.
The Spaniards crossfield ball picked out Sarr, who shaped to shoot but saw his effort blocked by Matt Targett.
Villa could hardly get out of their half in the opening 20 minutes, and there was another worrying moment when the elusive Deulofeu starting twisting and turning in their penalty area looking for an opening to shoot. Villa were happy to give away the corner.
Watford players celebrate after Ismaila Sarr made it 3-0 to the home side
Watford should have made the most of all that possession by scoring and they were almost made to pay midway through the half.
Jack Grealish, just about Villas only outlet for attack, dashed down the left and was upended.
Conor Hourihane carried on the attack and crossed to Wesley, whose header forced a fine save from Ben Foster.
Grealish tuned villain 10 minutes from the break when he brought down Sarr near the corner flag on Villas left.
Hughes kick found Sarr in the box but the wingers header was too high and landed on the roof of the net.
Then Deeney, a hate figure for Villa fans, cranked up the drama.
First, he wasted Watfords best chance so far in the 41st minute, squandering Abdoulaye Doucoures headed assist by firing straight at Heaton.
The travelling fans showed their glee but were stunned into silence just sixty seconds later. Doucoure was the creator again, smashing in a low shot from the edge of the box. Heaton got his right hand to it but the ball ran loose to Deeney, who made no mistake this time, firing under the keeper as centre-back Ezri Konsa made an unsuccessful lunge to keep the ball out.
After the initial celebration with team-mates, the Watford skipper turned his attention to the away section behind the goal, cupping his ears and staring expectantly. He had made his point.
Villa boss Smith made one change at half-time, sending on Anwar El Ghazi.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith endured a horror afternoon
Meanwhile Watford sub Nathaniel Chalobah on at half-time for the injured Hughes almost made his mark in the 53rd minute, firing just over from 25 yards.
But the home side were reduced to ten men in the 57th minute.
Mariappa, booked six minutes earlier for a foul on Grealish, picked up a second yellow as he blocked Henri Lansburys attempt to lead a breakaway attack and he was on his way.
Pearson reacted instantly by taking off Chalobah.
His short spell ended as he was replaced by former West Brom centre-back Craig Dawson, who was given a hot welcome the away fans. That looked like a lifeline for Villa but they went two down in the 67th minute.
Deeney who else? burst into the box and was hit amidships by Brazilian Douglas Luiz.
Ref Simon Hooper pointed straight to the spot. Quite why VAR was needed is anybodys guess.
But after FOUR MINUTES of deliberation by Jonathan Moss at Stockley Park, the decision was confirmed.
Deeney, totally unruffled, drove low past Heaton.
Four minutes later, the afternoon turned into a nightmare for Villa as the 10 men went 3-0 up.
Yet again it was Deeney torturing his old foes as he powered through the middle. Etienne Capoue was to his left and Deeney
timed the pass to perfection.
Capoue in turn supplied a fine cross to the far post, where Senegal ace Sarr was sprinting in to meet the ball with a right-foot shot.
The Watford fans responded by taking the new manager to their hearts, chanting Theres only one Nigel Pearson.
And he deserved it. Totally, utterly and thoroughly.
