Aston Villa vs West Ham United - Remi Garde is ready for a Villa clear out to freshen up his squad

Remi Garde is ready for a post-Christmas clear out at Aston Villa.

The boss wants to change his squad after admitting it is not healthy to have players out of the picture at Bodymoor Heath.

Long-serving Gabby Agbonlahor could leave while Libor Kozak, Charles N'Zogbia, Joe Cole and Philippe Senderos are also likely to go.

Agbonlahor, who made his Villa debut in 2006, has played just one minute under Garde and has not scored since March.

Leicester's Gokhan Inler and Bordeaux winger Wahbi Khazri interest Garde but he is also prepared to let players leave.

Ahead of Saturday's visit of West Ham he said: "There are some players who are here who haven't been playing for a long time and I think it's not very healthy for the the group or for themselves.

"As a player you want to play and I can understand they are frustrated and they are not happy about their situation. We will have to find a solution.

"I can't tell you how many players but there are a few."

The squad will train on Christmas morning before spending the rest of the day at home with Garde hopeful a relaxed atmosphere will inspire a result.

The Hammers have drawn their last three games 0-0 but Garde recognises they will be a tough hurdle to overcome.

"I don't believe too much in gifts, we don't have to rely on anyone else but us," he said.

"It is (winnable), like every home game, but West Ham are very solid. They don't conceded any goals, the good news is they didn't score but they're a tough team.

"They are very efficient away. They are fourth if you have the table only on away games.

"They are also very dangerous on the counter attack. We need to find the right balance, playing a home game but to be very aware of the counter. They have quick players."

Garde is "brave" for taking on the managerial reins at struggling Aston Villa but the Frenchman can keep the club up, according to West Ham boss Slaven Bilic.

Aston Villa's future in the top flight appears bleak after picking up just seven points from their opening 17 matches.

Garde, who managed at Lyon between 2011 and 2014, was appointed as Tim Sherwood's successor in November.

And while Villa drew 0-0 with Manchester City in his first game in charge, the Frenchman is still looking for his first victory. Indeed Villa have not claimed three points in the league since their opening day win at Bournemouth.

"It is a brave decision, but it is the Premier League and it's a massive club," said Bilic ahead of his side's trip to Villa Park on Boxing Day.

"To manage every club nowadays is a very brave decision and you would say the same if Pep Guardiola signs for whoever he signs for.

"I mean you have to be brave to be involved in football. It shows that he has a strong belief in himself, in his work, and he has a plan."

Only West Brom, Sunderland and Leicester have avoided relegation from the Premier League after occupying the bottom spot on Christmas Day, but Bilic said: "They have a chance. I mean there are so many games left.

"You know when you are taking over, when you are the manager of a club, you are positive. They go and think 'yes, we can win.' For any club down there or close there, it's about picking up points."