Last updated on .From the section Football

Garde managed Lyon from 2011-14 before leaving for personal reasons

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde says he will have the "final say" on transfers at the club.

The 49-year-old was named as Tim Sherwood's successor on Monday.

Villa signed 13 players in the close season, with Sherwood, chief executive Tom Fox, sporting director Hendrik Almstadt and director of scouting Paddy Riley all involved in the recruitment.

"We will discuss where we can improve the team but I will say what I want and what I need," said Garde.

"I think it's quite normal to have a sporting director. What is normal is I will have the final say."

Jordan Amavi, Jordan Ayew, Jordan Veretout and Idrissa Gueye - none of whom had played in England - joined Villa from French clubs in the summer.

"I cannot watch all the games across Europe so you need people to support you and I took this organisation as a support, not something I will struggle or fight with," Garde added.

"In every club there is good transfers and bad transfers. For the moment my concern is more about the players we have."

Garde also reiterated his rule that his players should only talk to each other in English.

"The players can talk French one to one in my office," he said. "Everywhere else it's English."

Villa are two points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League with only one win from their opening 11 games, with leaders Manchester City visiting Villa Park on Sunday.