Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Lambert has sympathy for Aston Villa's Remi Garde.

Garde told Sky Sports that he predicted Villa's struggles long before his exit.

“Remi Garde probably looks the way I felt. He's under so much pressure there.

“To be fair to him though he's handled it brilliantly. He will know what is going on behind the scenes."

Lambert, who was relieved of his duties a year ago last Friday added: “I knew the situation.

“There are obviously things happening there that are not good, whether that's down to recruitment or decision-making, or whatever.

“I knew it was going to happen.

“That's why I offered to resign after my second year at the club.

“They haven't got the personnel anymore and if they do get relegated there are some really good people there who will be affected."