Remi Garde: Villa have spirit for survival

Sunday's 0-0 draw with leaders Manchester City, in Garde's first game in charge, ended a run of six straight league defeats.

And though Villa remain rooted to the foot of the table, their new manager reckons he saw enough to suggest they have the stomach for a relegation fight.

"I've seen a team that played as a unit and players happy at the end so, hopefully, something's starting to change," said Garde.

"Twelve games have been played and we have five points but the spirit we've shown makes me think we can do it."

The clean sheet against City was Villa's first since the season's opening day.

And Garde added: "We have to stay realistic and there's still a lot of work to do but it was important for the players to regain a little bit of confidence."

Fabian Delph has meanwhile thanked City's fans for "having his back" on Sunday. The former Villa skipper was loudly booed on his first return to Villa Park since controversially quitting for City in the summer.

He said: "The fans gave me great support and had my back.

"It was always going to be interesting coming back."