Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo have scored 12 of Watford’s 15 Premier League goals this season. It is little surprise Hornets head coach Quique Sanchez Flores says the two strikers have an “amazing connection”.

The Nigerian international netted the opener of the Golden Boys’ 3-2 victory over Aston Villa this afternoon with Deeney heading home the visitors’ decisive third.

Defences have struggled to contain the duo all season and after today's victory a pleased Flores was full of praise for pair. 

“It is an amazing connection they have,” the Spaniard said. “We have the possibility of playing different styles with Deeney and Ighalo. We can play long ball or we can play with the ball on the floor.

“They are not strikers who only play well if they score. It is amazing what they do in defence. They put in so much effort to reduce space and that is why we always defend with 11 players.”

Watford were, defensively, far from their best at Villa Park. They conceded several chances and didn’t dictate possession. However, when the Golden Boys attacked they were clinical.

“The match was very tough,” Flores said. “We analysed Aston Villa during the week and they have very good players who are maybe a little bit low on confidence because of their results.

“But when Aston Villa play passing football they play very well. But the performances of my players was very good and we forced them to play under high pressure.”

He continued: “In the first 20 minutes we had control because we pressed very high and forced their goalkeeper to kick the ball long. We shut down their system very well.

“After our goal we lost control. They found space with Carlos Gil and other players. I felt something wasn’t right in midfield so we conceded a lot of opportunities.

“In the second half we recovered the balance. We defended well to reduce space and we counter attacked very well. We deserved in the second half to win the game.”