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Remi Garde will ‘blow Aston Villa away’ in the interviewing process for the vacant managerial post but he will not move without his tried and trusted assistants.

A close friend of the Frenchman has told the Birmingham Mail that he is keen on a challenge in England and will only accept an offer if his support network join too.

Garde wants to bring in Lyon assistant Gerard Baticle and Metz fitness coach Robert Duverne but there are complicating issues surrounding both men.

Not only are Lyon desperate to retain the services of Baticle, ex-Villa employee Duverne is also struggling to get out of his Ligue 2 club.

(Image: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

On top of that Villa are not interested in recruiting more fitness coaches to a team that was increased over the summer.

Chief executive Tom Fox landed two new members of staff from American ‘performance culture’ organisation EXOS after seeing the benefits that Shad Forsythe, Arsenal’s head of athletic performance enhancement, had bought to his former club in north London.

Strength & Conditioning coach Chris Lorkin and Head of Performance Mike Watts are also both still at the club and are popular with the players.

Garde, a man who interviewed well at Newcastle and at Brighton & Hove Albion before Sami Hyypia was appointed in the summer of 2014, is brimming with ideas and ready for the next step in his career.

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“He’s been waiting for the right opportunity and if he can bring along the right support, Villa would be a club that appeals to him,” said a source.

“He has always impressed in interviews in the past.”

The 49-year-old has been out of football management since leaving his post at Lyon at the end of the 2013/14 season but has spoken to various clubs about taking over.

Villa are still considering other candidates but they’re focusing most of their energy on Garde.

Meanwhile Kevin MacDonald will take charge of the team on Wednesday when they take on Southampton in the Capital One Cup.

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