Remi Garde set to put his money on Eric Black
Defiant Villa boss Remi Garde is set to recruit former Blues coach Eric Black as his new assistant manager this week as he also continues to search for a new striker.
Refusing to give up on Villa's survival hopes, the Frenchman is set to bring Rotherham coach Black to Villa Park because of the Scot's impressive reputation.
The 52-year-old has worked at Coventry City, Birmingham City, Sunderland, Blackburn and Wigan. His deal is expected to be until the end of the season.
Garde, who has been operating without a recognised assistant up until now, watched striker Rudy Gestede limp out of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Albion with a hamstring injury. Villa have netted just 18 league goals this season and though the extent of Gestede's injury is not yet known, the 27-year-old appears certain to miss some playing time.
Garde insists his side still have hope of escaping the drop despite being 10 points adrift of safety.
"We won't give up until the end," said Garde. "Maybe some have, not any of my players, but some (outside people). Our job is to fight until the end and I have said I will be the last one to give up.
"To be fair, I'm really frustrated that we only played that well for the last four games. We have to try and do that till the end now."
Villa are unbeaten in three league games and were on top for much of the game at The Hawthorns.
Garde was encouraged by the reparations going on between fans and players after the team were applauded off by the away support.
"I see my players going over there (to the fans) and that is very important," he said. "You cannot split the fans and the players.
"It's important for a player to feel that you have so many people behind you. I would have preferred to be celebrating a win but it shows that they are still not giving up."
Villa have failed in a £4.9 million bid to sign keeper Lovre Kalinic from Hadjuk Split after the Croatian was denied a work permit.
When asked about new signings, Garde replied: "Hopefully yes. I don't know exactly what. We will see. Sometimes the end of the transfer window is active. Maybe it could be for us."
