Remi Garde 'was hung out to dry', says Aston Villa fans' group

Remi Garde was a "sacrificial lamb" who was "hung out to dry" by Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner, according to a protest group.

Garde departed as manager "by mutual consent" on Tuesday night with Villa on the brink of being relegated from the top flight after 29 years.

However, the group behind 'Out The Door On 74', which encouraged Villa supporters to vote with their feet and leave the last two home matches after 74 minutes - symbolic of the club's formation in 1874 - in protest at the years of decline under Lerner, thinks the American's lack of investment this season is to blame for the club's predicament.

The group said in a statement: "He was hung out to dry by Mr Lerner.

"The January window slammed shut with zero investment provided, not a single player joined a squad that had finally shown some mettle but was still woefully short of both consistent quality and numbers.

"Whatever promises had been made to the manager, whatever token efforts were made, he was positioned as the sacrificial lamb and he has been slaughtered for it.

"How many more times must we cycle through managers, players and board members before Mr Lerner finds the winning combination? In our view, he has had long enough."

Doug Ellis sold Villa to Lerner in 2006, knowing the American would seldom be around the club.

Asked if he would do anything different in hindsight Ellis, chairman for over 30 years during two spells, told Radio 5 live: "I may try and get some form of promise that he'd spend some time at Aston Villa.

"I didn't get that... he stays in the States.

"But he made it clear he wouldn't come to many matches.

"I said I'd be there for him at any time, but I said I wouldn't interfere."

The 'Out The Door On 74' campaign is set to continue when Villa, bottom of the table and 12 points from safety, resume Premier League action at home to Chelsea on Saturday.