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Aston Villa boss Remi Garde to ban players speaking French

New Aston Villa boss Remi Garde says the clubs French recruits must learn English quickly and has banned them from speaking their native language in the changing room.

Jordan Amavi, Jordan Ayew, Jordan Veretout and Idrissa Gueye were all signed from French clubs in the summer but are still unable to speak English.

Frenchman Garde said that while his arrival at the club might help them settle more quickly, it is crucial for the team that everyone is able to understand each other.

"We need to settle down and adapt. We are not playing for a French team or in France," Garde told Villa's official website. "Probably they will feel better [that I am here] but my problem is not the French players my problem is the team -- the team results.

"I won't care more about the French players than I will with the English, the Spanish or the African ones.

"The team is a whole team, we need to be all together -- for example they have to learn English quickly, because I don't want anybody speaking French in the dressing room, for example, because it's very important that we understand each other.

"It's also important that the English players speak slowly sometimes at the beginning. Everyone has to make an effort."

Garde, who was appointed as the successor to Tim Sherwood on Monday, takes charge of his first game at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Villa might have to wait until next year to appoint Gerald Baticle and Bruno Genesio to Garde's coaching staff, according to the Guardian.

Both are currently contracted to Lyon but the Ligue 1 club are not prepared to let them move to the Premier League at this stage.

However, Reginald Ray will come in from Bastia to be his No. 2 and Robert Duverne has been released by Metz to become the club's fitness coach.