Monday 1 February 2016 14:31, UK
Aston Villa are unlikely to make any Deadline Day signings according to manager Remi Garde.
The Premier League's bottom team have failed to land a single transfer target during the January window with potential deals for Seydou Doumbia, Loic Remy, Mathieu Debuchy and Wahbi Khazri falling through.
A work permit appeal for goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic was rejected and Garde admitted he would not get the players at the top of his list - if any - ahead of Monday's 11pm deadline.
"That's right," he said. "The situation of the team at the bottom of the table was not something easy to deal with for new players but it's not the only reason.
I am disappointed because I know I represent this big club. I am not coming in front of the fans with good news. I always said I will not run away.
"It was also a financial problem but it's not my job to explain that again. Probably the club realise mistakes have been made in the past and they didn't want to do it again.
"I am disappointed because I know I represent this big club. I am not coming in front of the fans with good news. I always said I will not run away.
"I feel the way I am working, and the way I see the club, I feel the support."
Garde made a personal plea to Doumbia to join Villa from Roma but the player opted for a move to Newcastle.
"I spoke a long time with the player and I spent a lot of energy to convince him but he chose another club, that's life," said Garde.
Sunderland were interested in Micah Richards but Garde was adamant his skipper would not leave before the deadline.
"No chance!" said Garde. "I have a small squad and Micah is a player who will play the rest of the season."
