Watford captain Troy Deeney and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe accepted responsibility for the pain of relegation from the Premier League, while Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is planning a party after avoiding the drop on Sunday.
Deeney’s penalty was not enough to prevent Watford losing 3-2 at Arsenal as the Hornets’ decision to sack a record three managers in a Premier League season, including Nigel Pearson with just two games remaining, backfired.
“This is a reflection of the whole year,” Deeney told Sky Sports. “I will take the stick on social media but the harsh reality is people will lose their jobs because we haven’t been good enough.
“The whole top to bottom will do an audit and reassess. It is not just us.
“We can’t say we got it right because we failed. The bigger thing is for the fans and people at clubs because they will be here longer than players.”
Deeney has played through the pain barrier in recent weeks, but hinted his 10 years at Vicarage Road could also be coming to an end.
“I will be having a knee operation next week. Clubs can go in different directions and players can,” he added.
“If that is my last game, I am happy I went out on my shield. I am a simple man. Did I go out and do everything I could? Yes. Was it good enough? No.”
Bournemouth won 3-1 at Everton, but the damage was already done as the Cherries’ five-year stay in the top flight came to an end.
Howe insisted the responsibility for Bournemouth’s relegation lies with him rather than his under-performing players.
Villa did just enough to prevent an immediate return to the Championship as they secured a 1-1 draw at West Ham in a dramatic finale.
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