Rémi Garde believes his Aston Villa squad is united despite a desperate season that looks set to end in relegation.
The Villa manager has held a meeting with Micah Richards, his captain, to discuss unity in the camp and has defended the togetherness in the dressing room amid rumours of splits between rival cliques.
“I’m surprised that this kind of stuff comes out because I strongly believe it is not the case, simply because I had the captain of the team, Micah, in my office after the last game,” Garde said.
“We had a private chat. I don’t want to say exactly what was talked about but, to sum it up, it was the exact opposite of what you’re saying.”
Stories have surfaced of splits behind the scenes after a season in which Villa have won just three times in the Barclays Premier League.
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The Telegraph reported that the squad was divided in half, with the longer-serving players such as Gabby Agbonlahor, Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards unhappy with the manager’s lack of engagement with the team after damaging defeats.
The other half comprising mostly of the newer signings, many of which are French, such as Jordan Ayew, Idrissa Gana and Jordan Veretout, feel they are being unfairly scapegoated for the club’s dismal form.
Garde, however, says he has been assured by his players that they are united despite the troubled campaign.
“‘Enjoying’ is not the word when you’re bottom of the league,” Garde added. “Nobody enjoys it when you’re bottom of the league. I’m not enjoying it. But, I’ve been told there is no problem with that.”