Remi Garde: Villa can still beat the drop

Yesterday's 2-0 home loss to Tottenham left them with eight games remaining to perform an unlikely escape.

The claret and blues have already equalled their record for highest number of defeats in a Premier League campaign, set last season.

Villa sit bottom of the table, nine points adrift of safety, having lost their last five fixtures.

But Garde denied the current situation is a "nightmare" – claiming his team are still alive in the relegation scrap.

He said: "It's not a nightmare – in all difficulties we are still alive and can still believe we will win enough games to be safe.

"I knew that playing Everton, Manchester City and Tottenham would be a very difficult spell against very good sides.

"I'm not saying now we have easy games, I don't want to disrespect anyone – I can't anyway because they're all in front of us.

"But then, I'm saying the games we are playing will be against teams who are not fighting for the title.

"We will have to keep the attitude and faith we have shown in this game."

Two goals from Harry Kane, either side of half-time, were enough to condemn Villa to defeat.

Though Rudy Gestede and Joleon Lescott both hit the bar for the hosts late on, the second half was more notable for further protests from home supporters.

Stewards in the North Stand drew boos when they confiscated a banner criticising club owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Tom Fox.

When asked about supporters' right to protest, Garde replied: "It's a tough question. I prefer to live in a world where everybody can say with respect – which is very important and everybody has to do.

"But on this occasion I would say as well nobody has to forget what happened in the past and what has been done in the past by everybody at this football club. If you know what I mean."