Remi Garde confident he can raise rock-bottom Villa

The 49-year-old Frenchman has taken the reins at Villa Park with the club sat at the foot of the Premier League table, having lost their last seven league games.

But Garde reckons there is enough quality in the squad with which he can work to improve the situation.

"When you come into a football club there is always pressure, difficulties, problems to solve – but this is what you have to cope with," he said. "I know it's a huge and historic football club that needs at the moment to improve. I hope to do that.

"I am quite confident because there are some very good players in the team.

"The team is unfortunate at the moment, I think. Hopefully we can pull together and improve the level."

Garde admitted raising the confidence of players who have experienced defeat after defeat will present his first challenge.

"You cannot play winning games if you are low on confidence," he said. "But I think the current level of the table doesn't reflect the level of the team."

Midfielder Jack Grealish has meanwhile been told he will have to wait until the new year before being considered for his first England cap, after FIFA confirmed he has not yet been cleared to play for the Three Lions.

Grealish represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level, but decided to switch his allegiance to England, the country of his birth, five weeks ago.

The player and the Football Association submitted the relevant documents to FIFA at the end of September, but world football's governing body confirmed yesterday clearance had still not been granted.

With Grealish ineligible to play, he is expected to be left out of Roy Hodgson's squad for the upcoming matches against Spain and France, which was due to be announced this afternoon.