I’m experienced enough to know what Villa need

Remi Garde has dismissed suggestions he lacks the experience for Aston Villa’s survival fight – but admits his new team needs an improvement.
The former Arsenal midfielder took up his first managerial role in England on Monday when he replaced the sacked Tim Sherwood at the Villa helm.
Garde admitted on Friday that while he’s not a magician, he does have strong ideas about how to keep Villa in the Premier League, while our feature earlier in the week discussed five issues the Frenchman needs to tackle at Villa Park.
“Everybody had to start something in life. I’m not a new manager,” said the former France international, who takes control for the first time against unbeaten Manchester City on Sunday, with Villa bottom of the Premier League and reeling from seven straight defeats.
“I have been in football for more than 30 years in every position. As a football player I had the chance to play for Arsenal for three years. I know the country and the way fans in England love the game.
“This is why I wanted to be back in England. Lyon play in Europe every year and I managed more than 170 games there. Sometimes experience helps you.
“Sometimes it’s not only a question of experience. I’ve got nothing against experience. One day I will be a very experienced manager, maybe.
“This is not the only thing you have to know. I’m only focused on getting to know the players. Unfortunately next week a lot will be away on international duty.”

How will Aston Villa fare under new boss Remi Garde this season?

• Relegation
• Narrow survival
• Bottom-half finish
• Mid-table finish

Garde – a Premier League winner with the Gunners in 1998 – left Lyon to take a break in 2014 after three years at the Stade de Gerland which included Coupe de France glory in 2012.
Former Bastia coach Reginald Ray has joined as assistant manager after Villa failed in their pursuit of Garde’s former Lyon coaches Gerald Baticle and Bruno Genesio.
The midlands club have scored just 10 goals – the second lowest in the division – this season and conceded 20 and Garde, who has Micah Richards back after a ban, insisted the key to success is simple.
“Football is about scoring goals and not conceding. You have to find the right balance between the two,” the 49-year-old said.
“We need to improve in both situations. We will work out how to do it. We have started already. It’s a new start for the team and each manager has his own view on football. I will try to do my best with this team with the view I want.”