Zola hails young Hornets

Gianfranco Zola hailed Watford's academy set-up after a young starting XI played "beyond his best expectations" in a 3-0 win over Gillingham.

Udinese loanee Matej Vydra struck a double and Connor Smith was also on the scoresheet as a Hornets line-up that including eight academy graduates, turned in an impressive display.

"I was delighted [with the first half performance]," Zola told the Watford Observer. "They played even beyond my best expectations. They were positive on the ball and without the ball. We scored two high-quality goals and there could have been more."

Zola added: "I must say that the performance of the young players reinforced in me the conviction I had that whoever worked with these players before in the academy has done a very good job. They have to be proud of that."