Remi Garde vows pride will fire up Aston Villa against Wycombe in FA Cup replay

REMI GARDE says the torrent of abuse his team got at Wycombe might prove to be the kick up the backside Aston Villa needed.

 

Remi Garde hopes to have a good run in the FA Cup

 

Angry fans vented their fury at shell-shocked Villa stars as they boarded the team bus following the 1-1 FA Cup draw at the League Two side.

The ugly scenes outside Adams Park shocked players and officials alike and club captain Micah Richards was involved in heated exchanges with supporters.

There was also a social media storm over the antics of senior pros Joleon Lescott and Brad Guzan on the bench. They were accused of larking around and playing a game with chewing gum as they watched Villa being held at the underdogs.

 

It all made for unpleasant reading for Garde, whose side is rooted to the bottom of  the Premier League and looking near-certainties to be relegated.

But since then they have managed to arrest the slide with a win against Crystal Palace and a draw against high-riding Leicester.

And asked if the Wycombe scenes could have galvanised his squad, Garde said: “Yes, it could have been a factor. But also the team was changed for these two games and I’m pleased with the way we played. 

 

“Of course it would be damaging to go out of the Cup to Wycombe. Whichever players I pick for the game [tonight] will show that they are professionals.  I will rely on their professionalism and the pride in wearing the Villa shirt.”

Garde doesn’t view the Cup as an unwelcome distraction and says there is no question of him taking things lightly.

“Wycombe will have nothing to lose, whereas we will have everything to lose,” he said. “We have played already two games in row at home, which is never easy, but we got four points out of six, including a draw against the leaders, which is not a bad week.

“I know the Cup is important in every country, but especially in England. I would like to have a good run in the competition for everyone at this club, especially after what they did last year in getting to the final.”