Saturday 9 January 2016 19:03, UK
Remi Garde says Micah Richards was "brave" after the defender spoke with disgruntled Aston Villa fans during the 1-1 FA Cup third round draw at Wycombe.
The Villa captain, who had put the Premier League side ahead in the first half, had a discussion with a small group of visiting fans on the touchline after he was substituted in the 84th minute.
The discussion lasted around a minute and did not appear to be overly heated, with both stewards and a Villa coach allowing the 27-year-old to allay the protests of fans, and Garde believes Richards was right to take the time to address the fans' pitchside frustrations in person.
"It was brave of him to do that," said Garde. "As professionals we have to face our responsibilities - not only Micah, me and all the players.
"To be fair I didn't see the incident, but I've been told about it. I understand that the fans could be angry.
"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 situation with Aston Villa is very difficult and makes some silly things happen sometimes.
"Everybody has to keep calm, face their responsibilities, look in the mirror and ask themselves what they can do to get out of this difficult situation."
Villa's travelling contingent lambasted Garde for replacing stand-out midfielder Carles Gil, chanting "you don't know what you're doing".
Frenchman Garde has now gone 10 matches without victory in his Villa career, with the extra fixture in the shape of the third round replay only adding to the pressure on the beleaguered boss.
Garde hinted he would quit if he felt he could not reverse Villa's wretched form, but accepted he must quickly find victories.
"When you are not winning the manager is always making bad decisions," said Garde, responding to criticism for withdrawing Gil.
"You can always argue it was a bad or good decision: I know what I'm doing but sometimes it's not working.
"I know how it is in football, I'm not especially under pressure, but I'm not winning games.
"The day I don't feel I'm able to do anything positive for this football club you will know it."
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth was full of pride after his side secured a replay against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
"The pride is outdoing the happines and the rational thought is oozing out of me at the moment," said Ainsworth.
"When you see your boys like that out there it's a phenomenal feeling to see them giving absolutely everything, running through brick walls for you and having to bring people off because they've literally got nothing left in the tank.
"It's a fantastic day for us, a really great day for Wycombe Wanderers."
