Heurelho Gomes was the Hornets’ hero as the Brazilian’s second-half penalty save ensured Aston Villa and Watford played out a goalless draw at Villa Park.

RELIVE – Aston Villa v Watford: Hornets and Villains fire blanks in uneventful stalemate

No goals as Watford and Aston Villa pay pre-season tribute to late manager Graham Taylor

PICTURES: Images from the Graham Taylor Tribute Match between Aston Villa and Watford

Watford head coach Marco Silva impressed with players’ commitment in Aston Villa draw

 As we wait another Villa fan approaches, shakes my hand;  “Nice day for it mate.  He’s up there, smiling down on us”.  Off the pitch, at any rate, and whatever the unfortunate dilution of the tribute by virtue of the necessary shifting of the game to the West Midlands and running a second GT game next week, off the pitch this is a friendly game in every respect.

As soon as the teams emerged from the tunnel, they lined up and there was a minute’s applause for GT with both sets of fans singing “There’s only one Graham Taylor” at the tops of their voices.  It was very moving.

Birmingham Mail website: Aston Villa 0 Watford 0 – Henri Lansbury misses penalty; Jack Grealish injured

Aston Villa website: Villa and Watford played out a goalless draw at Villa Park on the day the two clubs paid tribute to the late, great Graham Taylor.