Garde confident Villa can avoid the dreaded drop

New boss Remi Garde insists he has not signed up to prepare Aston Villa for the drop.

The manager is also adamant he will have the final say on transfers after Villa’s failed summer business.

Garde was appointed as Tim Sherwood’s successor on Monday and then watched Villa slip to their seventh straight defeat with a 2-1 loss at Tottenham.

He takes control for the first time for Sunday’s visit of leaders Manchester City, with Villa rock bottom of the Barclays Premier League – but former Arsenal midfielder Garde said he is not contemplating relegation.

“I am confident, it’s 28 games to go,” said the ex-Lyon boss at his unveiling at Villa Park. “If we start winning things will change.

“Now it’s difficult but we can do it. I am not coming to prepare for next season in a lower division.

“I met the owner (Randy Lerner), I met Tom Fox (chief executive) we had very good meetings. I had very good feelings which made my decision to accept this difficult mission.

“I think Borussia Monchengladbach started with five defeats in a row and then they had six wins in a row. In football you never know.

“When, mathematically, it’s done you shake hands and it’s finished.”