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BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Aston Villa matched the club's longest run without a victory by losing 3-2 to Watford to slip five points adrift in last place in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Troy Deeney, who was released by Villa as a 15-year-old, scored what proved to be Watford's winner by heading in a rebound in the 85th minute for his fourth goal in his last five matches.
"I can't explain how good that was," said Deeney, who supports Villa's big Midlands rival, Birmingham. "Their fans gave me stick all the way through . you should have heard what the crowd were saying to me, but I am thick-skinned and can take it, and am more interested in taking three points."
Jordan Ayew set up a tense finish by making it 3-2 in the 89th minute, but Villa has now gone 13 league games without a win — tying the club record from 2012. Villa also tied the club record for the number of home games — eight — without a win.
Odion Ighalo put Watford ahead early on with his eighth goal of the season, Micah Richards headed in the equalizer for Villa before halftime, before Alan Hutton's own goal restored Watford's lead midway through the second half.
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