Remi Garde fines Jordan Ayew as Aston Villa's striker options worsen
Friday 5 February 2016 14:14, UK
Manager Remi Garde has fined Jordan Ayew for his red card which leaves Aston Villa short of attacking options.
Garde revealed on Friday that striker Libor Kozak has suffered a minor fracture to his ankle and has been ruled out for a month.
The blow follows Ayew's sending off for an elbow with West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Upton Park and a subsequent three-match ban, an act of indiscipline which has frustrated the manager.
"He came to my office the morning after the game and we had a long chat. Yes, he will be fined," said Garde.
"He regrets it, he apologised publicly, he apologised to me, the team and the fans. He behaves badly on the pitch but then he behaves the way he has to after that.
"It's an accumulation of frustration, a little bit during the game, but this frustration has grown in the previous weeks with the results and the way we were not winning games. For a long time he was the main threat for the opponent.
"I wouldn't like it if we sum up Jordan from this stupid behaviour. I'm trying to understand why he did that and of course he has to learn from it. Your individual attitude can have a big impact on the collective."
Ayew is the Villans' joint second-highest goalscorer this campaign with five goals, the same as Rudy Gestede, whose hamstring injury keeps him out of their vital match against Norwich on Saturday.
That leaves Garde with just Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has not scored for almost a year, Scott Sinclair as his only available senior options to lead the attack.
Garde confirmed Kozak, who has only made five appearances this season, is unlikely to return until next month.
"Libor is suffering a little fracture on the ankle. He will be out for four weeks now," he said. "Rudy could be back for next weekend."
Ashley Westwood (calf) could return but Carlos Sanchez (hamstring) and Adama Traore (foot) remain out.
