Remi Garde: I'm still up for the fight at Villa

Boss Remi Garde insists he still has enough energy for the fight at Aston Villa.

The Frenchman also indicated he has been forced to curb his honest nature to protect the club during a reign which, so far, has delivered just three wins in 22 games.#

Garde's own future is the subject of serious doubt with chairman Steve Hollis refusing to guarantee the 49-year-old, who has been linked with a return to former club Lyon, will remain at Villa Park next season.

Villa go to Swansea tomorrow nine points adrift at the foot of the table and desperate for a win which would provide the merest glimmer of hope to their survival chances.

Garde replaced Tim Sherwood as manager in November but his time in charge has been beset by a number of challenges.

Asked whether he had been forced, on occasion, to bite his tongue, Garde replied: "Yes, but it's not a question of being honest, it's a question of respecting the position you are in.

"I am not here to protect myself, I am here to do the best for this football club. I am here for that, as simple as that."

Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas, this week hinted he would be keen for Garde to return to the French club in some capacity.

But Garde replied: "I'm in a position where I cannot afford to speak about my own future.

"Maybe you don't know me well but I am too honest to speak about myself now in the situation where we are.

"Aston Villa is a huge football club, I understood that a long time ago, that's why I came.

"I don't want to be disrespectful to all the fans and all the people who love this club and are probably suffering as much as me."

Garde managed Lyon for three years before standing down in 2014, stating he needed to take a break from the game.

He said: "I managed three seasons at the highest level, we played on average 60 games a season, playing in the Champions League in the first season and Europa League the two last seasons.

"It was a lot of games and a lot of pressure. We had financial restrictions at this time and I had to have the same result with a very young team.

"I thought to do this job you have to be sure you have enough energy to do your job every day. I thought after the three years it was time for me to have a little break."

Asked if he still felt energised for his current challenge, despite Villa's troubles, he said: "I can't speak for the future but, speaking today, I am full of energy."