*Remi Garde: Aston Villa manager leaves after 147 days in charge*

*Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has left by mutual consent after just 147 days at the Premier League’s bottom club.*

The 49-year-old Frenchman replaced Tim Sherwood on a three-and-a-half-year deal in November, but departs after six successive defeats.

His last game in charge was a 1-0 defeat at Swansea City on 19 March, a result that left Villa 12 points from safety with seven games remaining.

Villa won only two of their 20 league games during Garde’s tenure.

A club statement thanked the former Arsenal player for his efforts “during a difficult period” and said Eric Black would take temporary charge.

The decision to part company with Garde followed eight days of negotiations that concluded late on Tuesday, according to BBC Sport’s Pat Murphy.

The announcement came on the day the club said it had begun working with former Football Association executive Adrian Bevington as Birmingham businessman Steve Hollis has already become the club’s new chairman in a boardroom reshuffle.

Former Governor of the Bank of England Lord King, ex-Football Association chairman David Bernstein and former manager Brian Little have also become directors.

Chief executive Tom Fox and sporting director Hendrik Almstadt left the club earlier this month.

Owner Randy Lerner, who put Villa up for sale last May, has upset fans who are unhappy about the lack of investment and the decision-making at the club.

Former Lyon boss Garde was said to be considering his future at the club after being unable to make any signings during the January transfer window.

He has also been among those who have criticised the players for a perceived lack of desire.

Garde had become increasingly dispirited by performances and said he felt “humiliated” after a 6-0 defeat by Liverpool last month. It was the first time the Midlands club had let in six at home in a league game since October 1983.

His only victories came against Norwich City and Crystal Palace in the league, and League Two Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup.

*BBC Radio 5 live football reporter Pat Murphy*

“Negotiations have been tortuous and labyrinthine. I think it’s just the usual cock-up, yet another farcical period in Villa’s recent history.

“Garde didn’t think much of the players and the feeling was mutual. He was promised players when he signed, but Lerner turned the tap off and he felt badly let down.

“I don’t think Villa could go any lower. But the players who got them into this situation are still standing. They should be looking over their shoulders.”
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*BBC Sport*
Saturday, 2 April 2016

*Alexandre Pato scored on his Chelsea debut as Aston Villa continued their slide towards relegation.*

The home fans chanted against their players and owner Randy Lerner as the Blues took control in the second half.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s deflected shot and Pato’s precise penalty had given the visitors a healthy half-time lead.

Pedro scored twice - slotting in Oscar’s pull-back and hammering home a loose ball - before Alan Hutton was sent off to compound Villa’s misery.

Aston Villa’s Premier League survival may still be possible in theory but, with 15 points separating them from safety and six games left, attention has long since switched to the longer term in the Holte End after seven straight league defeats.

Before kick-off, fans held aloft banners asking “Proud History, What future?” as they contemplate a Championship campaign on the pitch and owner Randy Lerner’s continuing attempts to sell up off it.

Their protests increased in volume towards the end of the match with substitute Leandro Bacuna - who spoke of his plans to leave the club this week - picked out for particular criticism and a synchronised show of discontent on the 74th minute.

The final whistle was greeted with resounding boos from the fans who remained in a fast-emptying Villa Park.

*A team of Villans?*

Their team - without Gabriel Agbonlahor after photos were published of the striker apparently smoking on a holiday in Dubai - initially worked hard to provide some short-term solace for their fans.

With Eric Black in charge following Remi Garde’s departure on Tuesday, there was more industry and invention in attack in the first half with Jordan Ayew and Carles Gil both going close.

But, as has been the case so often this season, their efforts were fatally undermined by a brittle defence as Aly Cissokho allowed Cesar Azpilicueta too much space down the left to create the opener and then bundled into Pato to give away the spot-kick for the second.

Jack Grealish was greeted warmly as he returned from injury as a substitute and Alan Hutton was applauded off despite being shown a second yellow card for a heavy challenge on Loftus-Cheek.

But, after an insipid second-half surrender, there was little love for the rest of Villa’s team as they trooped off.

*Like a duck to water*

It was difficult to measure Chelsea against opposition in such disarray, but some of the fringe squad members shone in a win that extended their unbeaten league run to 15-straight games.

Pato said after the match that he was “surprised” to be brought on after Loic Remy suffered a slight injury, but showed some nice touches. In defence, fellow debutant Matt Miazga coped well with the aerial threat from Rudy Gestede while a hungry Loftus-Cheek curled a shot just wide as he hunted his second.

Pedro was particularly bright and could have had a hat-trick had a deft chip not been ruled out in the first half for a marginal offside.

With matches against Tottenham and Leicester to come in May, Chelsea will have a say in the climax to this season’s title race. With Italian Antonio Conte reportedly lined up for the manager’s job, they may be more directly involved next season.