Quique Sanchez Flores says Juan Carlos Paredes deserved to start Watford’s 3-2 win against Aston Villa this afternoon and stresses his squad players will be vital over the coming months.

The Ecuadorian international was handed his first Premier League start at Villa Park in the unfamiliar role of right winger with Ikechi Anya dropped to the bench.

Paredes played 67 minutes of the contest and, while showing plenty of energy, was largely ineffective before being replaced by Anya.

And after the victory Flores was asked why Scottish international Anya had lost his place in the Golden Boys’ starting XI.

He said: “Anya has played every game this season and sometimes players have to rest a little bit and watch the match from the bench.

“Paredes has played very well and in the last five matches he has been playing 20 minutes and his performances have improved our system.

“So this was the moment for him to play. It was the same for (Nathan) Ake and for (Adlene) Guedioura. We need options.

"We can’t play the whole season with just 13 players. We need 17 players ready if we want to keep the category.”