European roundup: Villa out of relegation zone, Man City sink Watford
Updated 12:00, 22-Jul-2020
CGTN

Aston Villa climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a priceless 1-0 win against Arsenal, while Watford were thrashed 4-0 at home by Manchester City on Tuesday, taking a double blow to their relegation fate.

Arsenal, who failed to have an effort on target, can now finish no higher than eighth and their only route into Europe will be by winning the FA Cup against Chelsea on August 1.

Villa were struggling to find any rhythm as the game kicked off, but the drinks break offered Dean Smith a chance to fire up his players.

Crucially, Arsenal's long-standing weakness at set-pieces reared its head again as Villa snatched the lead in the 27th minute.

Tyrone Mings glanced Conor Hourihane's corner across the six-yard box and Trezeguet was left unmarked to blast a fierce strike past Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez.

The goal proved enough for Villa to move above Watford on goal difference as they have 34 points and a -26 goal difference with Watford also on 34 but with a -27 goal difference.

Trezeguet kisses the pitch after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, July 21, 2020. /VCG

Trezeguet kisses the pitch after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, July 21, 2020. /VCG

"It was unbelievable, I think it was deserved we were outstanding today," Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, who was superb throughout, told Sky Sports.

"It's been a tense day, all we can do is focus on ourselves. It's up to us what we do on the last day. It feels massive to be out of the relegation zone."

Villa head to West Ham for their final game of the season on Sunday, while Watford visit Arsenal and second-bottom Bournemouth, three points from safety, travel to Everton.

There are a multitude of permutations that could decide relegation, but Villa will be safe if they can better Watford's result on what is certain to be a dramatic finale.

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster admitted the Hornets' confidence is "crazy low" as they slipped into the relegation zone with one game of the Premier League season to go after being thrashed 4-0 at home by Manchester City on Tuesday.

Raheem Sterling of Man City during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester City at Vicarage Road, Watford, England, July 21, 2020. /VCG

Raheem Sterling of Man City during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester City at Vicarage Road, Watford, England, July 21, 2020. /VCG

Raheem Sterling scored twice in the first half before Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte rounded off a comprehensive City win.

"I don't think we helped ourselves, I don't think we did enough to do anything but what the result suggested to be honest," said Foster, who helped Watford keep the score down with a string of saves.

"The confidence is so crazy, crazy low. I don't know why it should be, but you get into a state of trying to minimize as much damage as you can and it's a dangerous way to do things."

City will end the season in second place no matter what happens on the final day when they host already relegated Norwich.

Elsewhere, veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice in the first half to give AC Milan a 2-1 win at 10-man Sassuolo as they remained unbeaten since the restart of the season and guaranteed a place in the Europa League.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan misses a goal during the Serie A match between Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, July 21, 2020. /VCG

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan misses a goal during the Serie A match between Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, July 21, 2020. /VCG

After a match which saw goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma make his 200th appearance for the club at the age of 21, Milan immediately confirmed that coach Stefano Pioli’s contract would be renewed until 2022.

In doing so, the club ended widespread and long-running reports that the 54-year-old would be moved aside at the end of the season to make way for German Ralf Rangnick.

Milan, unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions, moved up to fifth with 59 points, enough to guarantee them at least a place in the Europa League qualifying rounds next season.

Ibrahimovic, who returned for second stint in January, got in front of his marker to head in from Hakan Calhanoglu’s cross in the 19th minute.

Stefano Pioli head coach of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match between Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, July 21, 2020. /VCG

Stefano Pioli head coach of AC Milan gestures during the Serie A match between Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, July 21, 2020. /VCG

Eighth-placed Sassuolo levelled three minutes before halftime, when Calhanoglu was judged to have handled following a long VAR review, and Francesco Caputo converted the penalty.

Yet, Milan regained the lead in first-half stoppage time when Calhanoglu threaded the ball through to Ibrahimovic.

This time, the 38-year-old Swede calmly flicked the ball past goalkeeper Andrea Consigli with his first touch and scored into an empty net.

(With input from agencies)

(Cover image: Trezeguet of Aston Villa celebrates after he scores his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, July 21, 2020. /VCG)