Friday 20 November 2015 16:51, UK
Remi Garde is confident Aston Villa can start their climb off the foot of the Premier League table when they visit Everton on Saturday.
Villa's poor start to the season - one win, two draws and nine losses - saw Tim Sherwood sacked as manager and replaced by the Frenchman earlier this month.
Garde's reign at Villa opened with an encouraging 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City, and he has seen enough in training to believe the squad has the quality and confidence to avoid relegation.
"I believe in this squad. We've already played 12 games. It's not a situation you want to be in. I didn't see players who don't believe in themselves or the team work we're trying to work on," he said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
"I know it's going to be very difficult but I still have the hope that we can do it.
"The players are aware things are different. It is my job to make them believe that the way we're going to play is different now. I'm giving them direction to work and we carry on in that direction."
Aston Villa face Everton following the international break, but without defender Jordan Amavi, who is set for six months on the sidelines after rupturing ligaments in his knee while playing for France U21s.
Rudy Gestede (knee) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (calf) are injury doubts, while Jores Okore (knee) will miss the trip to Goodison Park, but Garde is confident his side can make a winning return to domestic action.
"It's a huge blow, big blow for the team because Jordan Amavi has done very well since he signed for this club," he said. "Unfortunately, when players leave for international duty you always care as a manager if one or two come back with injuries.
"As I've said Jordan Amavi has been injured but Jordan Ayew scored a goal and is now coming back with confidence. Ciaran Clark has qualified for Euro, which is very good. They are coming back stronger. So the balance may be good.
"I'm still waiting for Carlos Sanchez and Brad Guzan, the other players came back without major problems, only a little bit tired."
Roberto Martinez's Everton are targeting a tilt at the top four, but Garde says his side will be ready for the challenge.
"I've watched two Everton games. I'm really aware of the team we are playing against this weekend. My staff have also worked a lot to watch Everton. I'll do the job the most conscientiously I can," he said.
"We don't have much time between games before travelling to Everton, but it's the same for them. This is the way football is now."
