Hitzlsperger: Garde can save Villa from relegation

Former Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger has backed new boss Remi Garde to save the club from relegation this season.

Garde watched from the stands as his new side was humbled 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and Villa now sit rock bottom of the Premier League.

Hitzlsperger thinks that the Frenchman has the ability to stop the rot and climb the table.

"Of course he can (save the club from relegation). There are 28 games left and the benefit is that he’s signed for a club who know they’re already in a relegation battle from day one," said Hitzlsperger speaking exclusively to 888sport.com.

"Whereas there will be other teams who are currently comfortable who might get dragged into it towards the end. He knows what the mission is. He has to keep them up and it will be a hard fight but I have hope.

"Kevin McDonald says the team is fit so the base is there. There should be no excuses because in 28 games a lot can happen. If he’s a good manager then I’m sure he will get enough points to keep them up.”