Remi Garde asks Aston Villa fans not to stage walkout

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has urged Aston Villa fans not to proceed with a planned walkout in their next three home games.

Fans are planning a mass exit in the 74th minute of games with Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in protest over the Villa board's handling of their current situation, which sees them sit eight points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League.

Asked about the protest at his pre-match press conference ahead of Villa's trip to Stoke City, Garde said: "I can understand. It's such a painful situation, such a painful season, that everybody who loves this football club has to cope with.

"Fans are fully part of this situation we have to deal with. If they want to protest what can I say? What can I do? I have only been here for four months and this protest is probably the result of years. I would prefer if this kind of demonstration takes place outside the game while we still have the possibility to win games for survival.

"My job is to believe we can still win games. And the best way to win games is to prepare the team well and make sure the players have the full desire to win. Then we need the support of the fans. But I haven't got any advice to give to fans who have followed this club for years."

Villa (105) are second only to Everton (113) in terms of years spent in the top flight of English football.