Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has defended the club's board against criticism that they are lacking in football experience.

The Premier League's basement side recently appointed Steve Hollis, whose previous experience includes troubleshooting for big businesses in Birmingham, as their new chairman.

Asked if he would prefer a board with more footballing experience, Garde told reporters: "To be fair, not really. The most important thing is in the football part you have people who know football – I think I know football a little bit.

"For policy for the future of the club it's better to have people who know about finance. It's much more important than having people who could think that they know football and giving advice to people who know football.

"I think to be well structured we need people with the skills that their position requires."

Villa host Premier League high-flyers Manchester City at Villa Park in the FA Cup fourth round this afternoon.