Paul Merson produced two moments of breath-taking brilliance to relight Aston Villa's fire after their Worthington Cup disappointment.

The England international left Villa Park in a daze last weekend when he cut his head setting up the FA Cup winner against Leeds but returned for Wednesday's semi-final defeat at Leicester.

And he was in dazzling action today with two contenders for Villa's goal of the season.

Steve Stone had already slid John Gregory's men into a second half lead with his first league goal of the season when Merson stole the show.

The Villa midfielder took the sting out of the Hornets with a solo run and chip, in the 57th minute, and capped it two minutes later by lashing an acrobatic volley past Watford keeper Chris Day.

Merson's heroics were largely forgotten last Sunday when Benito Carbone's hat-trick dominated the headlines as Villa ended the FA Cup interest of high-flying Leeds.

Carbone took the match ball but it was Merson's skill and bravery which set up the winner in the 3-2 win. He clashed heads with Michael Duberry as he chipped the ball into the penalty area and headed to his team-mate.

The former Arsenal and Middlesbrough man didn't even know the Italian had scored until he had been stretchered to the treatment room with his face covered in blood.

Merson missed the midweek game at Filbert Street but returned to captain the team, in the absence of the injured Gareth Southgate, as Villa made it a miserable day for Graham Taylor.

Taylor, back at Villa Park as a manager for the first time since he left in 1990, enjoyed a standing ovation from the home fans before kick-off but his beaming smile disappeared as Villa bagged three goals in the first 14 minutes of the second half.

Villa had dominated the first half, without testing Day, preferred in goal instead of Alec Chamberlain.

Day and his defence had to keep out a series of early corner but his only shot-stopping action was to gather a Benito Carbone effort from 20 yards after a sweeping move involving Julian Joachim and Stone.

Watford rarely threatened former keeper David James. The Villa keeper had no trouble collecting a first-half shot from Micah Hyde and Delaney thwarted Robinson with a swift tackle.

Taylor made two changes at half-time. Peter Kennedy and Allan Smart, both on the comeback trail after injury, replaced Tommy Smith and Clint Easton but the Hornets soon had a mountain to climb.

George Boateng released Carbone with a quick throw on the left. The Italian raced down the touchline and whipped a low cross into the box which was met by a sliding Stone, who swept home his first league goal of the season.

A mistake in the Villa defence gave Heidar Helguson a glimpse of goal in the 56th minute. The Icelander lifted the ball over the onrushing James but also over the bar.

The chance wasn't easy but, within a minute, his miss looked wasteful when Merson delivered the game's two outstanding moments.

Merson picked the ball up on the half-way line and carved into the Watford defence on a run from left to right. Just he looked to have gone too far, marsalled by Page, he lifted a delightful chip over the stranded Day and into the net.

There was more to come from the England international. Carbone crossed deep from the right and Wright headed the ball into the goalmouth where Merson took a touch on his chest and unleashed an overhead kick past Day's despairing dive.

A penalty appeal was turned down at each end but Villa sub Richard Walker headed Villa's fourth from a Wright cross.

Teams

Aston Villa: James, Ehiogu, Calderwood, Barry, Delaney, Stone, Boateng (Samuel 71), Merson (Hendrie 84), Wright,Joachim (Walker 64), Carbone.

Subs Not Used: Watson, Cutler.

Goals: Stone 47, Merson 57, 59, Walker 81.

Watford: Day, Gibbs, Page, Palmer, Cox (Wooter 64), Hyde, Bonnot, Easton (Kennedy 46), Robinson, Smith (Smart 46), Helguson.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Lyttle.

Booked: Page, Robinson.

Att: 27,647

Ref: P Jones (Loughborough).