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Remi Garde refused to blame Brad Guzan for the individual error that cost Aston Villa the game at Swansea.

The USA international failed to clear a Gylfi Sigurdsson cross and Federico Fernandez was then able to bundle in the winning goal.

Guzan, who has been the star performer in recent weeks with a number of impressive saves against Tottenham and Manchester City, was recalled by Garde after Mark Bunn had taken his place at the turn of the year.

And Garde today said: “I am not criticising or assessing a player after a game, it is never the time to do it.

“I prefer to have a chat with the players before. He will go for the next international break away and will have the time to digest it and come back stronger.”

Garde also refused to throw in the towel despite seeing his side slip 12 points behind 17th-placed Norwich.

“Until mathematically things are impossible, why should we give up? We are professional.

“Today, we have shown all the opposites to a team who has given up. The next game we will be the same until the end.

“I’m sure we can have this kind of behaviour.

Garde also said it will be business as usual for him during the international break.

“I’m fully focused on the next game against Chelsea,” he added.