TROY DEENEY destroyed Villa — then wound up their fans.
The Watford skipper said after this emphatic victory over their fellow strugglers: “I wish we could play them next week!”
Watford striker Troy Deeney has netted five goals in his last three games against Aston VillaCredit: Reuters
Growing up in the Midlands, Deeney became a Birmingham fan and life since then has been a running battle with supporters of their city rivals.
Now he is way out in front for bragging rights after scoring the first two goals and playing a key role in the third against Dean Smith’s men.
Deeney said: “If we lose this game, I go home to the Midlands and get hammered.
“People think it’s just online but you go to the corner shop and there are Villa fans giving you stick. It’s one of those things where you have to win.
“That’s three games against them where we’ve won all three and I’ve scored five goals so I wish we could play them next well as well if I’m honest.
“Naturally the Villa fans know I’m a Blues fan. They love me and I love them. We have a bit of fun with it, but it’s football, it’s not real life. I go home, see my kids — job done.”
Deeney, 31, now has another youngster to go home to following the birth of his son on Monday.
Hornets ace Deeney scored twice in Watford’s 3-0 victory against the Villans on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
If we lose this game, I go home to the Midlands and get hammered.”
Troy Deeney
He said: “It’s been a mad week. We beat Man United on Sunday and my son was born the following day. I got the missus home, got the little one home, and then drove to Sheffield on Christmas Day.
“I was tired as you can imagine but the missus was more tired than me — I’d better get that one in!”
Deeney also played tribute to new Watford manager Nigel Pearson, who has triggered a massive revival since taking over earlier this month with the club at rock-bottom.
The Hornets striker said: “The gaffer is always level — he doesn’t get carried away. He’s always the calm one steadying the ship.
“He’s been great. He’s hammered me a few times, which is what I needed.
“If someone treats you like a man and treats you with respect you reciprocate and that’s what the gaffer has done. He’s been brilliant with me over the new baby and the way he handled that situation.”
Deeney has praised new boss Nigel Pearson since he took charge at Vicarage RoadCredit: Reuters
Despite the keen rivalry, striker Deeney had words of encouragement for Villa’s Jack Grealish. Playing down the left, the 24-year-old tried everything to get his team going.
But he saw them go under to goals from Deeney, who struck in the 42nd minute before winning and converting a 67th-minute penalty, with Ismaila Sarr making it 3-0 four minutes later.
Even worse, Watford scored their second and third goals when they were down to ten men – Adrian Mariappa had been sent off in the 57th minute.
Deeney said: “There’s a lot of pressure on Jack. He carries the expectations of a massive club on his shoulders and he’s still a young man.
“I expect him to give it some out there and I expect him to give me some, the same as I gave back.
“But he gave me a Villa shirt for my little brother who’s a Villa fan.
“So what happens out there stays out there. After that, like men we shake hands and crack on.
“People need to lay off him. They should appreciate the pressure he is under. People think footballers earn ridiculous amounts of money and there’s no pressure.
“But he’s carrying the club’s expectations to keep them up. So I wish him all the best.”
From Kolasinac at Arsenal to Troy Deeney at Watford – the hardest players at every Premier League club
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
