Villa’s quest for Premier League survival resumes on Tuesday when they welcome Crystal Palace to Birmingham.
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The 53-year-old will issue a statement following a request by boss Remi Garde who has failed to win any of his 10 games in charge since replacing Tim Sherwood in November.
A Christmas period where Villa took only two points against Newcastle United, West Ham United, Norwich City, and Sunderland sees the media start to use the “it’s not mathematically impossibly” phrase – a sure sign that they are done for. Their lack of improvement showed up fully a week later, with them losing 4-0 away at Everton.
The Frenchman, whose side are bottom of the Premier League after just one win all season, has admitted the squad needs a complete overhaul, again, in the long-term future but the winter transfer window is not the time to do it.
“But with my football hat on I know what it means in the hearts of my players, and there’s not many players that get to experience something like this in their careers, so that means just as much as any amount of money. There’s no passion on that pitch”, with Richards replying, “We’re trying!” in a heated discussion. We have to accept that, as a player, a manager, everybody at the club has to accept that criticism, because we are not winning – that’s football.
The performance of the Villa team was as poor as it has been this season, and the fans were rightfully making their feelings known about their side. “At some point it is important that the Aston Villa voice is not only mine”.
Villa’s website said Spaniard Traore, signed from Barcelona a year ago, had broken a bone in his foot.
Garde believes it’s hard for him to answer questions about decisions made above his head.
“Some players won’t be involved any more and they need to leave”, said Garde.
Villa’s team bus was besieged by angry supporters on leaving the ground, though Garde remained unfazed and fully accepted the fans’ ire.
Alan Hutton and Carlos Sanchez (hamstring) are both doubts along with Gabriel Agbonlahor (back).
“This game would be worth £144,000 if it screened live on TV, which we hope it will be now of course”.
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“I know what I ask to my players before the game and what I repeat at half-time but then maybe we couldn’t today”.
