Remi Garde insists Aston Villa's Gallic group are back in the team on merit and not because of their French connections.

Garde restored all four of Villa's Ligue One signings for Sunday's encouraging draw against Manchester City.

Jordan Amavi, Jordan Veretout, Idrissa Gana and Jordan Ayew were all in the starting line-up for Garde's first game in charge.

But the 49-year-old Frenchman has emphasised he will pick players on form rather than favouring his compatriots.

“They are not back because they are French or I knew them,” said the boss.

“The team could be different next time.”

Garde is determined to make Villa 'smiles' better by banishing the doom and restoring a feelgood factor.

"The players were happy at the end," he said after the 0-0 draw against City ended a run of seven straight defeats.

"I said to the players (when he arrived) that I understand everybody is very sad. everybody is disappointed with the results until now.

"But you know when you play with sadness it doesn't help you. We need to gain more confidence.

"I have tried in the training sessions we have had to give my message and I think the first game was quite a good start.