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Aston Villa nightmare: Randy Lerner set to address media

Owner Randy Lerner is set to speak out following Aston Villa's disastrous season.

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Lerner, who is in New York, is today having crisis talks with chief executive Tom Fox and sporting director Hendrik Almstadt.

The 53-year-old will issue a statement following a request by boss Remi Garde who has failed to win any of his 10 games in charge since replacing Tim Sherwood in November.

Lerner has been reluctant to speak during his 10-years in charge of the club, particularly during the last five years and has made no comment of Villa's form this season.

Garde contacted the American after being faced with questions he feels are beyond his managerial remit.

"This is something I asked from them a fortnight ago or something like that," the Frenchman said.

"Not to take the pressure of me - if I didn't want the pressure I wouldn't have this job.

"It's more because I'm facing you every week but actually I knew Villa from inside for only 10 weeks now.

"At some point I cannot explain and am not in the position to judge what happened before and whether it was right or wrong because I wasn't here.

"At some point it is important that the Aston Villa voice for now is not only mine."

Garde believes it's difficult for him to answer questions about decisions made above his head.

"I don't have all the answers to the questions about Villa," he said.

"This is not to avoid my responsibilities at all. I will do it as long as I am in this position at this club.

"But I feel you need to explain some things at some point in your history."

Villa host Crystal Palace on Tuesday marooned at the bottom of the league and 11 points from safety.

They are seven points behind second bottom Sunderland and tensions boiled over after Villa failed to beat League Two Wycombe on Saturday.
Videos of the manager and players being abused after the game were posted on social media while substitutes Brad Guzan and Joleon Lescott were also accused of playing a game involving chewing gum during the match.
Garde tried to move on from the weekend but conceded he expected the reaction.
He said: "I know football, in every country it's the same. I understand completely the fans' frustration. I am not surprised because I know that from situations from different clubs I have played and worked for."
The boss said he was not aware of the reported issue with Lescott and Guzan but reminded all players of their responsibilities.
He added: "What I can say is, as a professional player, you need to behave in the right way with respect for everybody. It doesn't matter if you are top of the table or bottom. It's just a question of being respectful to everybody."
Against Palace, Garde is without Carlos Sanchez and Alan Hutton (hamstring), while Jack Grealish (tonsilitis) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (back) are doubts.