Remi Garde backs resurgent Joleon Lescott to help lead his Villa strugglers

Remi Garde reckons Joleon Lescott has the right stuff for a relegation scrap as he hailed the defender's Villa resurgence.

The 33-year-old continued an impressive string of recent performances with a man-of-the-match display in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Albion.

His renaissance follows a difficult start to life at Villa Park, with the former England international having struggled for form following his £2million switch from the Baggies last summer.

Just a fortnight previously, Lescott had been at the centre of the storm when he was accused of playing a game involving chewing gum with team-mate Brad Guzan while they were substitutes during Villa's 1-1 FA Cup draw at Wycombe.

Boss Garde believes Lescott's improvement is proof veteran players should never be written off, as he revealed he and the centre-back have developed a strong working relationship.

"I think we discovered each other, the way we wanted to work," said the Villa boss. "We had discussions about it.

"He's enjoying the football we are playing, enjoying training also. I'm very happy about that."

Garde, who played for Arsenal for three years between 1996 and 1999, continued: "You know when I arrived at Arsenal, it was quite the same situation with the old and famous back four.

"When Arsene (Wenger) came everyone was thinking they are dead but actually no, they won the league one year later.

"You never know in football, you have to have the right spirit... Joleon has the right attitude.

"He can be a leader and at the moment he is doing that."

With Villa now on a five-game unbeaten run, Garde admits it took him time to find the right formula after being appointed in November. But he insists the door to the starting XI remains open to any player – providing they show the right attitude. "Nothing is closed," he said.