Imran Louza and Keinan Davis scored for Watford as the Hornets bounced back from two straight defeats to beat Norwich City and move back within two points of the Championship play-off places.
Louza had a penalty saved before putting the hosts in front - and Davis, up against his old Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, then doubled Watford's lead.
Although Josh Sargent got a cheeky goal back on the stroke of half-time, there were no more goals after the break as Watford held on.
Watford's victory in the tight tussle means Slaven Bilic capped off his second win in four games since he took charge at the club.