We can prove doubters wrong – Garde

New Aston Villa boss Remi Garde insists he’s ready to give Charles N’Zogbia the chance to prove himself at the club – but won’t pick anyone based on their nationality.

“Of course we are frustrated – we deserved to win the game”, Pellegrini told Sky Sports. Football is not a light switch you can flick on and off when you decide to go for it, it doesn’t work like that.

The contrast with Sunday’s opponents could therefore hardly be greater ahead of their meeting at Villa Park.

Guzan added: “It was huge to stop the rot, going forward we know it is going to be a tough task we are still in the bottom three”.

But while his injury leaves them without both frontline strikers, Sergio Aguero, who has been out for four weeks, is expected to be fit again after the global break. A few might suggest that a quiet approach won’t help pick the players up at Villa Park, but Guzan clearly thinks differently, telling the club website that Garde “has given the boys confidence and belief”.

“You’ve just got to work hard in training and do the best you can then it’s down to the manager to pick you. There is not only one way to win games but I have my ideas and a strategy that I want to implement”.

Asked whether the draw against City will have changed the perception outside the squad that Villa are doomed for the drop, Garde replied: “Hopefully yes but I am not going to fight (opinions) outside the club”.

Frenchman Garde was taking charge of Villa for the first time and saw his side end a run of seven successive defeats to claim their first point since 29 August.

“But this month when we didn’t have important players like Aguero and Silva yet we won all the games and drew against United”. “I am disappointed about the result, but I have nothing to complain about our team”, Pellegrini said.

In their first match under new manager, Remi Garde, the home side made a bright start, with Idrissa Gueye making the most of a strong spell of possession to launch a 20-yard strike towards the City goal, but the finish was just wide. I’m only focused on getting to know the players.

“I hope he will not receive that”, said the manager.