NIGEL PEARSON

Aston Villa's Matt Targett, top, celebrates with teammate Trezeguet after the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Tuesday, July 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Powell,Pool)The anguish of Leeds and Nottingham Forest provides a reminder of just what is at stake on the final day of the English Premier League for the teams fighting relegation. Status and history offer little protection when a team is trying to stay in the Premier League or regain a place in the world's richest league. Bournemouth must beat Everton and rely on Watford and Villa losing to secure a sixth season in the Premier League. The parachute payments have been criticized by the English Football League, which operates the three divisions below the Premier League, as they create an imbalance over the income for teams.

(Adrian Dennis/Pool via AP)WATFORD As the ball rolled past him and Manchester City's score racked up, goalkeeper Ben Foster increasingly feared for Watford's Premier League survival. It wasn't even lifted by Watford's last desperate roll of the dice firing its third manager of the season. Sterling set up the third when his close-range shot was saved by Foster Watford's star performer and Phil Foden tapped into an empty net in the 63rd minute. Javi Gracia was still at the helm when City crushed Watford 6-0 in the final game of last season in the FA Cup final. The Champions League doesn't resume until August when City will be protecting a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid in the last-16.

(AP Photo/Peter Powell,Pool)Aston Villa is out of the Premier Leagues relegation zone for the first time in five months. The fight to avoid dropping out of the worlds richest domestic league is heading to the final day of the season, with two relegation places still to be filled and three clubs in realistic danger. Arsenal lost to a relegation contender two days after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinals, highlighting the inconsistency that still bedevils Mikel Artetas team. CITY ROUTIf Watford does go down, at least it wont have to play Manchester City next season. Kevin De Bruyne provided the cross for Laportes goal for his 19th assist of the season, one off Thierry Henrys record for one season.

Watford's head coach Nigel Pearson before the English Premier League soccer match between Watford and Newcastle at the Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, England, Saturday, July 11, 2020. (Mike Egerton/Pool via AP)WATFORD Watford fired manager Nigel Pearson on Sunday with only two games remaining this season as the team tries to stay in the Premier League. The surprise move saw Watford announce internal promotions with Hayden Mullins taking charge for the remaining games, assisted by Graham Stack. Watford's remaining league games are at home to Manchester City on Tuesday and away to Arsenal next Sunday, when Bournemouth goes to Everton. Pearson helped Leicester to escape relegation from the Premier League in 2014-15.