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Emmanuel Dennis scored the only goal as Watford beat Aston Villa for their first win under Roy Hodgson to climb to within four points of Premier League safety.
The first opening of note fell to the Hornets striker, who forced a smart low save from Emiliano Martinez on 15 minutes.
In a first half of few chances, Danny Ings came closest to breaking the deadlock, hitting the outside of the post after being put through by Emiliano Buendia.
Moussa Sissoko found the side-netting on 56 minutes before Buendia tested Ben Foster at the other end as both teams pushed for an opening goal.
It was the visitors who struck with 12 minutes remaining. Dennis beat Ashley Young to Ismaila Sarr's chipped pass to head the ball past Martinez for his ninth goal of the season.
Josh King missed a close-range chance to double Watford's lead but they held on for a first win since November that lifts them to 18th, on 18 points, four adrift of Newcastle United.
Villa stay 12th with 27 points.
See: Aston Villa report | Watford report
Next fixtures
Aston Villa: 26 Feb v Brighton (A)
Watford: 23 Feb v Crystal Palace (H)
Match officials
Referee: Robert Jones. Assistants: Simon Long, Scott Ledger. Fourth official: Martin Atkinson. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Lee Betts.
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