Struggling Villa target Chelsea striker Remy

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has confirmed he wants to sign Chelsea striker Loic Remy on loan in the January transfer window.

Garde is looking for reinforcements as Villa sit rock bottom of the Premier League and believes fellow Frenchman Remy could provide the lift needed.

"Loic is a guy I know well, of course it would be an interesting player for the team," said Garde, who was assistant manager at Lyon when Remy started his career there.

"He is part of some players I'll try to attract to Aston Villa, for sure. Loic is a special one because he knows the country and the league."

He added: "I have to work with the players I have currently but if you don't achieve that too much and you can bring in players with more confidence and with a lot of experience it could be helpful for the team."

Remy has struggled for games at Chelsea this season despite Diego Costa's lack of form and the club's nightmare season.

He has scored three goals in 14 games but has started just once in the league with the defending champions 14th.

The 28-year-old has also made just seven league starts since a move from QPR last year.

Villa are the lowest scorers in the division, netting just 15 goals in 19 games, and head to second bottom Sunderland on Saturday four points behind their relegation rivals.

Gabby Agbonlahor (back) and Carlos Sanchez (hamstring) are out while Ashley Westwood and Jordan Ayew are banned. Jores Okore could return from a knee injury at the Stadium of Light.