Remi Garde was ‘brave’ to join struggling Aston Villa but has the players to keep them up, says West Ham boss Slaven Bilic

Remi Garde will have to defy history to keep Aston Villa from relegation
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes Villa have the talent to survive
West Ham go to Villa Park on Saturday will both sides desperate to win
After six matches in charge, Garde is still chasing his first win at Villa
Bilic’s side are chasing a first win in eight games at Villa on Boxing Day

Published:
22:40 GMT, 25 December 2015

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Updated:
22:40 GMT, 25 December 2015

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Slaven Bilic believes Remi Garde was ‘brave’ to take on Aston Villa’s rescue mission – but insists they have the players to beat relegation.

That prediction flies in the face of Premier League history, which shows only three teams who have been bottom at Christmas have survived.

But Bilic, whose West Ham side are chasing a first win in eight games at Villa on Boxing Day, is adamant Garde can still benefit from his employers’ £50million summer spending spree.

Aston Villa can stay in the Premier League, says West Ham’s Slaven Bilic ahead of visit to the strugglers

Frenchman Remi Garde (pictured) was ‘brave’ to take on the role at Villa with the side in such dire straits

He said: ‘Remi doesn’t say he can drive 150mph with a car that can drive 100mph. No. He has a football team, it’s live, and he’s optimistic.

‘They have some big names, players who played at a World Cup and were wanted by other clubs. It’s about confidence for them now. What he wants is a little bit of luck, to win two or three games and after that it changes.’

Garde is still targeting his first Villa win after six games in charge. But Bilic said of his decision to replace Tim Sherwood: ‘It was a brave decision. But to manage every club nowadays is a very brave decision. You would say the same if Pep Guardiola signs for whoever he signs for.’

Bilic will hand a late fitness test to Andy Carroll after the striker missed Sunday’s draw at Swansea with a groin strain.

Bilic says Villa have plenty of World Cup talent but now need confidence, not that he wants to give it to them

Garde will have money to spend in the summer but is also keen to inspire his side to Leicester-style heroics

Garde has shown Villa’s players the league table from a year ago to illustrate how Leicester staged a remarkable comeback from relegation. He pointed out to his players that Leicester had only three more points than Villa do now after 17 games.

‘I am interested in psychology,’ said Garde. ‘The manager’s job is not only about having boots, a whistle, and the training session.’

Garde has been given cause for hope by Jordan Ayew, who scored a brilliant goal at Newcastle and showed a strong work ethic. ‘I know Jordan is gifted, he is spectacular, he scored brilliant goals,’ said Garde. ‘But I prefer to focus on the hard work he did every game for the team.’