Aston Villa must play for 90 minutes to survive , says Remi Garde
Saturday 19 December 2015 21:53, UK
Aston Villa manager Remi Garde insists his side need to play with intensity for the full 90 minutes if they are to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
Villa remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just seven points from 17 games after fighting back in the second half to secure a 1-1 draw at Newcastle.
Despite his team's second half performance, Garde wants his team to play with the same intensity and pace they did in the second 45 minutes at St James' Park for the a full match.
"The mentality of the players in the second half was brilliant," Garde told Sky Sports. "My biggest disappointment is that we only played for 45 minutes.
"If we can play the football we played in the second half for 90 minutes we will have better chances. We know that.
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"It's not the first time we are not playing a full game with the same pace and the same intensity. We definitely need that to get out of this situation."
Fabricio Coloccini gave Newcastle a deserved first half lead but Jordan Ayew's superb equaliser after the break was just reward for Villa's improved performance.
Garde threw on Rudy Gestede in the second half as both sides had chances to win it and the Frenchman was delighted with his side's mentality after the break.
"It's a good point," said. "If you look at the first half it's a very good point and then if you look at the second half we could have a bit more.
"But I'm very happy that my team came back in this game. The attitude was very different in the second half," he added.
"In the first half we didn't win any challenges. We were completely out of the game in terms of intensity.
"We lost the duels. If you lose the challenges and cannot win the ball then you cannot win the game. We tried to change that in the second half and of course Gestede coming on was very important for the team."
Aston Villa's next match is at home to West Ham on Boxing Day and Garde is eager for his side to build on their point at St James' Park.
He said: "We are in the middle of four games in a row that will be very important for us and we know we need points within this run.
"Let's say today we've got the first one and the next home game will be very important."
