Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has sent a stern warning to his players ahead of the festive season.

The Frenchman doesn't want his players to get into party-mode as the crucial period for the relegation-threatened club looms ahead.

Garde has already banished Jack Grealish to train with the U-21s after he was seen partying following the 4-0 defeat against Everton and has given a similar warning to anyone else who may be looking to stray over there Christmas period.

"Of course it's party time but not for us and that's it," he said.

"It's not only a case of, 'don't mess with me' - we are playing games and have a tough job to do.

"We are not kids and we need to be 100 per cent focused. I can't imagine that when you have an opportunity to play in the Premier League, big games for a big club, that you should want to be disturbed by parties just because it is Christmas."