To give an indication of the level of side we faced Peterborough’s first team also played a friendly at home to Birmingham City on the same day which they won 3-2.
Official site: Watford 3 Peterborough United 0
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
I can’t find any record of this game actually being played. A review of reserve friendlies appears in the Barnsley programme but this game wasn’t included. The first team was playing at Barnet on the same day.
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.
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.
