What will new Aston Villa boss Remi Garde bring to the club?

Giving Garde the role as head coach appears to reflect the nature of that recruitment drive. Add in fellow new face Rudy Gestede and longer-serving Charles N’Zogbia, and there is a strong French-speaking contingent in their ranks.

Supplemented by British players and other foreigners from further afield, Garde is facing a similar squad dynamic to the one he found as a player at the Gunners under Arsene Wenger. He was reportedly very close to the Arsenal manager during his final years before hanging up his boots.

Hope for homegrown heroes

While it would be wrong to compare Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards to Tony Adams and Martin Keown, the two ex-England internationals should certainly be performing better. A continental coach like Garde, who knows a thing or two about defending himself, will be aiming to coax more from them.

Emerging talent Jack Grealish, who clearly was building a bond with old boss Sherwood before he got the boot, needs to be given space to continue his development. Once Benteke and Delph left, he became their prized asset.

Leading Villa marksman Scott Sinclair’s direct style is reminiscent of Lisandro Lopez, who arguably played his best football under Garde at Lyon. Keeping Aston Villa up, a 13/8 chance, will be shaped by how he can blend British, French and other foreign footballers.

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