Aston Villa caretaker boss Eric Black believes the defeat at Watford was harsh on their players.

Relegated Villa looked on course for a fourth league win of the season but two late goals from Troy Deeney fired the Hornets to a 3-2 win.

Black said: "It's harsh in some regards. I thought the effort of the players today was outstanding.

"We changed the shape a little bit and only had a couple of games to work on it. They stuck to it and worked tirelessly and I thought there was hunger and desire."

He added: "The players deserve credit. They’ve been justifiably criticised [this season] but not today and they deserved to win the game."

Villa had Aly Cissokho sent off, for a challenge on Ikechi Anya, in the second half and Black felt this was the turning point in the game.

"I thought the sending off changed the complexion of the game," Black said. "I think Aly makes contact with the ball but in doing that I think his momentum takes his leg up and I can see why the referee interpreted it the way he did."

Black added: “I thought we looked the team more likely to score at 2-1. Yes we conceded possession in periods of the game but not clear cut possession that was going to harm us. But the sending off was the key moment for me."