Remi Garde denies Villa dressing room split

Boss Remi Garde has denied reports of a dressing room split at Aston Villa.

Reports last night claimed the claret and blues squad was split into two factions, with some players openly questioning the manager's methods.

But, speaking to the press this morning, Garde denied that is the case. He said: "I can't stop people writing, but it's not true at all.

Garde said: "There is no split and the players are telling me that. I'm surprised this kind of stuff is coming out.

"I'm surprised, I strongly believe it's not the case simply because I had the captain of the team, Micah Richards in my office after the last game against Everton.

"We had a private chat. I don't want to say exactly what was talked about but, to sum it up, it was the exact opposite of what some people are saying."

Garde added: "Are we enjoying training? Enjoying is not the word when you're bottom of the league.

"Nobody enjoys it when you're bottom of the league. I'm not enjoying it.

"I can't say the dressing room is happy but you wouldn't expect that. I'm not happy."

He added: "When teams are winning there is never a problem but when. It's strange that it comes out now."

Villa are bottom of the Premier League, 10 points adrift of safety and have won just twice since Garde took over as manager in November.

And under-fire chief executive Tom Fox could be axed following an inquest into the club's disastrous campaign.

Reports suggest new chairman Steve Hollis is ready to launch an extensive cull, with sporting director Hendrik Almstadt and head of recruitment Paddy Reilly also fighting to save their jobs.

Hollis, who was appointed by owner Randy Lerner, is thought to have identified player recruitment as a major flaw.

Fox, Almstadt and Reilly were, along with Lerner and former manager Tim Sherwood, part of a transfer committee.

They spent more than £50million last summer on 12 new players, many of whom have struggled.

With Lerner rarely seen at Villa Park, Fox has increasingly become a focus of fan anger and was on the receiving end of abuse during Tuesday's 3-1 home defeat to Everton.