Remi Garde understands why Aston Villa fans are planning to protest

Aston Villa boss Remi Garde admits he understands the fans' desire to protest but urged them not to distract the team.

Villa supporters are planning to walk out in the 74th minute of their nextthree home games with the club staring at relegation from the Premier League.

They are bottom and eight points from safety ahead of today's trip toStoke.

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The protests are planned in the 74th minute to signify when Villa were founded in 1874 with supporters angry at the lack of direction as the club looks certain to drop into the Championship.

Liverpool fans walked out in their 2-2 draw with Sunderland earlier this month in protest over ticket prices for next season.

The Reds were 2-0 up at the time before shipping two late goals and Garde - who remains without the banned Jordan Ayew and injured Jack Grealish - conceded fans' actions could have consequences on the pitch.

He said: "It's difficult to affirm, it's difficult to say 100 per cent but youcan imagine it had an effect."