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Remi Garde says he has the 'final say' on Aston Villa signings

Remi Garde takes training on Thursday ahead of Aston Villa's weekend game against Manchester City
Image: Remi Garde (left) takes training on Thursday ahead of Aston Villa's weekend game against Manchester City

Remi Garde has made it clear he will have the final say on transfers at Aston Villa.

Garde, like predecessor Tim Sherwood, must work alongside sporting director Hendrik Almstadt and head of recruitment Paddy Reilly at Villa Park.

The former Lyon boss says he will welcome support in identifying and signing players - as long as none arrive without his consent.

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"It's something we're used to in France," said Garde, speaking at his first press conference since he was confirmed as Villa boss. "I'm not completely lost with this kind of organisation.

"I think it's normal to have a sporting director - I had one at Lyon, where I also had a big chairman, a chief executive and a chief scout.

Dele Alli scores for Tottenham
Image: Aston Villa were beaten by Tottenham on Monday, with Remi Garde in attendance

"What is normal is that I will have the final say, which is very important for me, but I cannot watch games all over Europe. You need people to support you, and I take this organisation as a support, not something to fight with.

"We will have meetings, discuss what is needed to improve the team, and I will say what I need."

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Asked if any player would be signed without his authorisation he gave a firm "no", and asked whether he had that in writing he said: "That's my problem!"

Garde also revealed he had been encouraged to move to Villa Park by fellow Frenchman Gerard Houllier, who had a brief spell in charge of the club in 2010-11 before having to leave because of ill health.

"Gerard told me a lot of good, positive things," said Garde. "Actually I visited him when he was manager of Aston Villa so I was not totally lost when I came here.

"We had a spell together at Lyon and we never lost contact. When he spoke to me about Aston Villa it was all positive. He told me 'go on, it's a difficult situation currently but it's a big club with people who will work for you'."

Garde's to-do list
Garde's to-do list

What's on Villa boss' agenda?

Garde's focus in his first few days has been on preparing the Premier League's bottom side for their game against leaders Manchester City on Super Sunday.

Asked what needed to be done to turn around a run of seven straight defeats - and no win since the opening day of the season at Bournemouth - Garde said: "Football is about scoring goals and not conceding. You have to find the right balance.

New Aston Villa manager Remi Garde poses in the dugout with a club shirt
Image: Garde poses in the dugout with a Villa shirt

"We need to improve on both and we will work hard to to do it. We've started already, and it's a new start for the team. Each manager has his own view of football and I'll try to do my best with the view I have."

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