Dennis the menace: Super Eagles striker strikes down Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa

The 24-year-old scored his first goal since December as the Hornets boosted their survival hopes with a stunning upset at Villa Park 

Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Dennis scored his ninth goal of the season as Watford secured a brilliant 1-0 win over Aston Villa in their Premier League encounter at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.

Dennis had opened his Premier League account against the same side on the opening day of the season, and he was at it again on Saturday afternoon as his late header sealed Roy Hodgson's first win as Watford manager.

The Hornets went into the game knowing they needed a result if they are to keep up their slim hopes of beating the drop.

They showed their intent right from the start through Dennis, who cut inside to test Emiliano Martinez in Villa's goal in the 15th minute.

That proved to be their only attempt in the first half, though, with Villa dominating possession onwards. The second half resumed with Watford starting in a similar way they started the first but were denied by Martinez again.

However, with just 12 minutes to go, their efforts finally paid off as Dennis headed in a superb cross to condemn Steven Gerrard's men to back-to-back league defeats.

The Nigerian international appears to be back to his best in the game, scoring one goal from two shots on target, while he also made one key pass.

The win, meanwhile, boosts Watford's survival hopes as they are now just four points behind Newcastle.