Remi Garde: You must believe in me Gabby

Villa manager Remi Garde has told his players they must get on board with his philosophy.

The claret and blues head into tomorrow's crucial clash at fellow strugglers Newcastle bottom of the Premier League table, eight points from safety and on a club-record run of 15 league matches without a win.

Long-serving club captain Agbonlahor has been linked with a January move and Garde, who replaced Tim Sherwood last month, is keen for his squad to trust him and understand his methods. He said: "More than Gabby's case – every player has the possibility twice in the year to come to the manager and say, 'I don't feel you trust me, I don't feel well any more'.

"For Gabby and the rest of the team, when you change manager and the way of working, maybe suddenly you don't feel comfortable.

"I'm not saying that about Gabby especially. It will be the same for every player.

"I want to trust my players and for my players to trust me.

"For Gabby or another player, maybe they will not see what we're doing or where we're going. I don't know. I don't feel that at all with players. It's not the time.

"We have a huge game and then the next three after that (West Ham at home on Boxing Day, Norwich away on December 28 and Sunderland away on January 2) will be important."