A 95th-minute winner off the boot of Tyrone Mings gave Aston Villa a priceless 2-1 victory over Watford to leapfrog their opponents and claw themselves out of the relegation zone.

Deep into stoppage time, defender Ezri Konsa's strike deflected off the boot of Mings and into the far corner of the net to deal Watford a huge blow in a relegation six-pointer.

Earlier, in their first meaningful attack, Troy Deeney's simple header from a Gerard Deulofeu delivery put Watford ahead (38), his sixth goal in just four games against Villa.

Image: Douglas Luiz equalises for Aston Villa

Villa were then back on terms midway through the second half as substitute Douglas Luiz arrived at the back post to strike into the roof of the net (68), and after piling on the pressure thereafter, Villa finally got their winner.

The result means Villa now sit 16th, two clear of the relegation zone, while Watford are back in 19th with their first defeat in six games under Nigel Pearson.

Player ratings Aston Villa: Reina (7), Guilbert (7), Konsa (7), Mings (6), Hause (5), Targett (7), Nakamba (6), Drinkwater (5), El Ghazi (5), Grealish (7), Trezeguet (5)



Subs: Luiz (7), Vassilev (6)



Watford: Foster (6), Mariappa (6), Dawson (7), Cathcart (6), Masina (6), Capoue (6), Chalobah 96), Doucoure (6), Pereyra (6), Deulofeu (7), Deeney (7)



Subs: Pussetto (5), Gray (NA), Kabasele (NA)



Man of the match: Jack Grealish

How Villa leapfrogged Watford in gritty six-pointer

The first half was the epitome of a relegation six-pointer; twitchy, high-octane but lacking in quality, particularly in front of the Watford goal as Villa lack of attacking focal point showed.

They got into positions to deliver several times, with the end product lacking on every occasion, and to make things worse it was a familiar foe that put Watford ahead.

The Birmingham-born and Birmingham City-supporting Deeney headed home six yards out from Deulofeu's lifted delivery at the right byline, following a nice one-two with Abdoulaye Doucoure. Three of his five Premier League goals this season have come against Villa.

Image: Troy Deeney celebrates his goal against Villa

Doucoure was then upset moments later as Deulofeu chose to shoot instead of square to him, hitting the side-netting from an acute angle.

Deeney could have had a second after the break as chaos ensued in the Villa box; Pepe Reina denied him at close range as the hosts struggled to clear.

Match-winner Mings could have seen red shortly after, handling on a yellow card as Deulofeu looked to race through, but Martin Atkinson kindly left his cards in his pocket.

Team news Villa were unchanged from the 1-1 draw at Brighton, while there was just one change for Watford as Pereyra came in for the injured Sarr following the 0-0 draw with Spurs.

The hosts were soon level as sub Luiz arrived at the far post to strike home from six yards, after Matt Targett's cross-shot was parried into his path by Ben Foster.

Villa came forward in waves after the leveller, and seemingly lacked the cutting edge to find the winner, until the last minute of stoppage time. Reina's long ball into the box caused havoc, and after Mings fell to the floor looking to shoot, Konsa's shot hit the boot of his fellow defender and flew into the corner of the net to send Villa Park wild.

3:03 Ezri Konsa thought he’d scored his first Premier League goal, but was disappointed to learn it had been given to Tyrone Mings.

Dean Smith will hope the victory is Villa's springboard to safety, while Watford's resurgence was brought back down to earth as Pearson tasted defeat for the first time in over five weeks.

What the managers said

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith: "We need to make it a noisy place all of the time. I thought it was a good performance today. Their goal knocked us back a little bit, but the lads showed a lot of endeavour today without a lot of quality in the final third."

On Mings' handball: "I'd seen some of the other things that had happened on the pitch without caution, so I wasn't worried at all."

On the transfer window: "We want another [striker], and we're looking for another. Keinan Davis has just started back in training. Hopefully Samatta will start training for us as soon as possible once he gets his visa sorted.

2:40 Dean Smith says Aston Villa dominated the game

Watford boss Nigel Pearson: "It is tough to take, the first setback we've just had to deal with. I thought we struggled to find the energy levels we have had of late. It's a disappointing situation, and one we'll have to come to terms with pretty quickly."

On Mings' handball: "There were one or two talking points, maybe Mings with the handball. I can't do anything about that, and the players can't either, we are as always in the hands of the officials to get that right."

On the transfer window: "I'm not saying that we necessarily are going to [bring players in], I'm more hopeful we have players returning from injury. We'll see how that goes."

3:02 Nigel Pearson says the defeat at Villa Park is one of the first setbacks they have had to deal with

How Villa celebrated win

There were wild scenes of jubilation and relief at Villa Park following the last-gasp goal. Here's how they celebrated it...

Opta stats

Aston Villa have won a Premier League game having been behind at half time for the first time since September 2013 (3-2 vs Man City), ending a run of 51 games without a victory in the competition when trailing at the break.

Aston Villa have scored two 90th minute winners in a single Premier League season (Matt Targett vs Brighton in October and Tyrone Mings today) for the first time since 1994-95.

Watford's Troy Deeney has scored more Premier League goals against Aston Villa (six in four games) than he has against any other side in the competition.

What's next?

Villa now host Leicester in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Tuesday, January 28, live on Sky Sports Football at 7.45pm, while Watford go to Tranmere in their FA Cup third-round replay on Thursday after the initial replay was postponed.