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Remi Garde has described Aston Villa's survival challenge as "an impossible mission that we have to make possible".

Villa are nine points adrift of safety with eight matches to go ahead of this weekend's trip to Swansea City.

Garde knows that claret and blue hopes of a miraculous recovery are virtually non existent, but he refuses to concede defeat until they are mathematically down.

"I am not stupid," he said. "It’s an impossible mission that we have to make possible. You never know in football.

"We need to win games – at home or away, it doesn’t matter. We are in an urgent situation.

"It’s always difficult to know what will happen in the game. It will be very tight, probably with a lot of tension. They also need points. We do, of course.

"I still believe. I have said that since the first day. I am focused on saving the club from relegation.

"From the time when things are certain, you can say we are in that league or this league. I am focused on the next game. I am not speculating."

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