Remi Garde ponders therapy for Aston Villa

Remi Garde has admitted he could be forced to abandon long-held principles and turn to sports psychologists to dig Aston Villa out of the relegation mire.

Garde has refused to employ sports psychology so far in his managerial career, but accepted he may be forced into a rethink if Villa’s awful run continues.

The midlands club remain winless in 16 matches after Saturday’s 1-1 FA Cup third-round draw at League Two side Wycombe, with Garde accountable for 10 games in that stint.

Captain Micah Richards gave Villa a 22nd-minute lead, but Joe Jacobson levelled with a penalty after Ashley Westwood caught Matt Bloomfield with a flailing arm.

Villa have not won in the Premier League since a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth on the season’s opening day, leaving Garde to accept he cannot discount any changes of method.

When asked if now was the time for the help of psychologists, Garde replied: “No, not for the moment.

“I’ve never used that in my teams, and that’s it. But I’m very open-minded and if the solution could be from there, then I could do that.”

Villa’s team bus was besieged by angry supporters on leaving the ground, though Garde remained unfazed and fully accepted the fans’ ire.

Neil Lennon was unhappy with the Ten Acres surface after his Bolton side narrowly avoided embarrassment at the hands of National League Eastleigh.

Referee Iain Williamson, called two pitch inspections and while the surface was heavy, Lennon agreed the decision to go ahead was right.

“I wasn’t overly happy with the pitch, one of the worst pitches I have ever seen, but we travelled. The referee did say that if it rained he would call it off but I didn’t really fancy coming back so thankfully the game went ahead.

“The pitch was a huge problem with how the game panned out. The pitch is a leveller, they played very well, this is their big day.”

Bolton equalised through captain Darren Pratley in the 87th minute after Dorian Dervite’s 51st-minute own-goal.

Bristol City boss Steve Cotteril fumed as James Morrison’s 95th minute equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw for West Brom. Saido Berahino opened the scoring but City led , through Jonathan Kodjia and substitute Kieran Agard.

Cotterill fumed at the late, late escape; “Four minutes was held up on the board — time was up.

“He’s got to buy himself a new watch. That’s the best thing he can do.”