Villa ‘don’t have enough quality’, says Garde

Scott Anderson
Remi Garde: Claims his team lacks quality

Remi Garde: Claims his team lacks quality

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has claimed that his team don’t “have enough quality” after they suffered yet another defeat against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

After losing 6-0 against Liverpool in their last Premier League outing, Garde saw his team fall to yet another defeat at the hands of Stoke, courtesy of two goals from Marko Arnautovic.

Villa conceded two goals in quick succession and despite Leandro Bacuna pulling one back for the away side they were unable to find an equaliser.

Speaking after the match, manager Garde admitted that his team lack quality.

“The players did what they can,” said the Frenchman. “The first 45 minutes we were OK and defended well.

“We tried to do our best but we started the second half too poorly and when you are 2-0 down it is over.

“When you are bottom of the table it is difficult to play with full confidence. The fans were behind the team. We don’t have enough quality.”

Stoke manager Mark Hughes was happy to see his side bounce back from a poor run of form against Villa and the Potters now climb up to eighth in the Premier League.

Speaking after the match, Hughes said: “We needed to be a little more dynamic in the second half and we were.

“At 2-0 we were quite comfortable and cruising to a conclusion. The referee should have given a free-kick to ourselves [in the build-up to Aston Villa’s goal] but at 2-1 they brought on Gestede and that was a threat to us but all in all I felt we coped with it.

“Every time we have had a little blip we have bounced back very quickly and we have done that today.”