The trio of William Troost-Ekong, Emmanuel Dennis and Peter Etebo got starting berths in Watford’s opening game of the season and the Hornets marked their return to the Premier League with a comfortable 3-2 win against Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
Dennis was deployed at the center of a three-man attack, while Etebo functioned in a holding midfielder’s role. Ekong marshalled the defence in a 4-3-3 formation.
It was a surreal occasion for the three making their debut just as it was for the Manager, Xisco.
Watford were quick off the block, racing to a 2-0 first half lead thanks to a 10th minute opener by Dennis, before he turned provider for Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr (42′).
In the second half, Watford got their third from a sublime long range effort by Cucho Hernández (67′).
From that point, Villa went into the offensive and were rewarded in the 70th minute when John McGinn pulled one back.
The fourth official’s board showed 6 minutes of additional time, enough for a late comeback.
However, when it seemed as though Villa could pull a dramatic comeback, Danny Ings’ penalty on 90+6′ would turn out to be the final action.
It great start to the PL campaign for the Nigerians, and for the stand out performances of Peter Etebo and goal scorer Emmanuel Dennis.
