Nakamba dropped, as Villa lose

MARVELOUS NAKAMBA was an unused substitute as Aston Villa fell 0-3 against 10-man Watford in a Barclays Premier League match at Vicarage Road yesterday.

Nakamba lost his place in the starting line up to Irish holding midfielder Connor Hourihane who replaced the Zimbabwean and went on to score in Villa’s 1-0 win over Norwich on Boxing Day. And yesterday, Aston Villa coach Dean Smith, had no option but to start with Hourihane, who partnered Douglas Costa at the base of the midfield, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

However, there was no joy for Villa who fell to their 11th defeat of the season and are now stuck in the relegation zone.

Watford’s revival under new manager Nigel Pearson continued as the Hornets scored through Troy Deeney (double) and the impressive Ismaila Sarr.

The Hornets played for more than half an hour with 10 men after defender Adrian Mariappa was sent off following two yellow cards in the space of six minutes.

Watford were leading 1-0 when Mariappa was sent off – Hornets captain Deeney reacting quickest to slot home after Tom Heaton had palmed away Abdoulaye Doucoure’s shot following a mistake by Ezri Konsa.

Deeney doubled the lead from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Douglas Luiz before the Sarr added the third from Etienne Capoue’s cross. Villa were upset the penalty for Watford’s second goal was awarded as defender Matt Targett was down injured, while the visitors were also aggrieved about the third goal as they felt Jack Grealish was fouled by Capoue in the build-up. However, Sarr’s goal was allowed to stand after a video assistant referee (VAR) check. — BBC/Sports Reporter