Remi Garde reveals his Aston Villa squad plans for Arsenal visit

Grealish had been training with the youth team after being spotted on a night out

ASTON VILLA manager Remi Garde has thrown the gauntlet down to Jack Grealish to prove he has learnt his lesson following his recent punishment for his off-field behavior.

Grealish has been restored to the first-team squad for Sunday’s visit of Arsenal after being banished to the youth team after being pictured in a Manchester nightclub following a 4-0 thrashing by Everton.

Having sat out the Premier League matches with Watford and Southampton, the 20-year-old played in Monday’s Under-21s’ victory over Derby and is in contention to face the Gunners.

“Like the rest of players he’s back and available for selection,” Garde said of Grealish, who was spoken to by the club in the summer after pictures emerged of him sprawled in the street during a night out while on holiday in Tenerife.

“Has he learned? Only Jack knows that, of course he’s a talented young player, but only Jack has the answer to that question.

“I’ll still be closely watching him.”

Garde says he wants to see more tactical discipline from the creative midfielder.

 

"I have the feeling Jack needs to be more disciplined, not going everywhere on the pitch but to be more efficient," he added.
"This is the way I feel Jack can improve his game. Sometimes you run everywhere but are not efficient on the pitch."
Rock-bottom Villa face a Gunners side certain to be high on confidence after their midweek 3-0 win at Olympiakos which completed a Champions League great escape and secured their place in the knockout stages.

 

Ex-Arsenal player Garde, who was Arsene Wenger’s first signing, insists it will take more than his inside knowledge for Villa to pull off an upset against a side he believes can win the Premier League title.
“They are very comfortable away from home and have scored more away from home which shows how dangerous they are," Garde said.
“It's long time ago since I was there. I know very well the team and the players but we'll need more than to get points from them.
“They can win the title of course. Now they're qualified for the Champions League they will have to concentrate on both targets which not easy. Maybe it's the year they can fight for the title until the end.”
Villa will again be without skipper Micah Richards (knee).