Aston
Villa manager Remi Garde wants to bring Chelsea forward Loic Remy to the
club during the January Transfer window.
Bottom side Villa extended their winless streak to 18 matches with Monday's
2-0 defeat at Norwich and have found the back of the net just 15 times this
season - the lowest tally in the Premier League.
They trail 19th-placed Sunderland by four points ahead of the Wearsiders'
clash at Liverpool on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 1, and visit the Stadium
of Light on Saturday.
Speaking ahead of the relegation six-pointer, Garde confirmed he is
targeting a loan move for French compatriot Remy, who has made just one
Premier League start this campaign.
"Loic is a guy I know well and of course it would be an interesting player
for the team," said Garde, who was assistant manager when Remy started his
career at Lyon.
"He is part of some players I'll try to attract to Aston Villa, for sure.
Loic is a special one because he knows the country and the league. I have
got some targets who could be at this level without knowing the country and
the league.
"I have to work with the players I have currently but if you don't achieve
that too much and you can bring in players with more confidence and with a
lot of experience it could be helpful for the team."
Remy has struggled for games at Chelsea despite Diego Costa's lack of form
and the club's nightmare start to the season, which leaves the defending
champions 14th in the table.
The Frenchman has scored 12 goals in 42 appearances at Chelsea but has made
just seven Premier League starts since joining the club from QPR last year.
"The situation is not the best one to speak with players, but what I have
done already doesn't show me that no-one wants to join this club," Garde
added.
Gabby Agbonlahor remains sidelined for with a back injury and Garde gave no
assurances about the striker's future at Villa Park following recent reports
the Aston Villa captain could leave the club.
"For the moment Gabby is not training. He is struggling with his back,"
Garde said.
"I can't tell you more about that but sometimes - how can I say - if a
player wants to leave or if he comes to me and says I want to leave I will
have a discussion because we need players who believe in the project and in
the possibility to be safe.
"I tell you that but Gabby for the moment is injured . This is the main
problem for me,"
Carlos Sanchez misses out with a hamstring injury while Ashley Westwood and
Jordan Ayew are both banned. But Garde confirmed Jores Okore could return
from a knee injury for the trip to the Stadium of Light.
"Jores will train this morning, which was not the case before the previous
game," he said.
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