Garde set to give N’Zogbia the boot at Villa

Charles N'Zogbia: Set to leave Villa Park

Charles N'Zogbia: Set to leave Villa Park

Charles N’Zogbia could be heading for AEK Athens after Aston Villa boss Garde confirmed he has had enquiries for the winger.

N’Zogbia joined from Wigan for £9.5million in 2011 on a five-year deal worth a reported £65,000-a-week and has played 93 times for the club, but he has appeared only twice as a sub this season.

Both of those appearances were under Garde who has criticised the player, but just as his predecessors Paul Lambert and Tim Sherwood found, the French manager believes there is no future at Villa Park for the 29-year-old.

Garde said: “I’ve got some phone calls for Charles, a Greek club in Athens, yes. Charles is a player that could leave the club but this is his decision mainly.”

He refused to speak about any price for the Frenchman and while a move is expected, Garde left the door open for an unlikely comeback.

“You can never say that. You never know in football but for the moment he’s not playing for me,” he added.

Garde also confirmed Libor Kozak could still leave despite his substitute appearance at Sunderland while he admitted he is eyeing Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda, although that is unlikely to come to fruition with the player committing himself to his club.

Garde added: “I have an interest in this player, yes, but I cannot update you more than that.”