Aston Villa manager Remi Garde refused to be too critical of his players after watching them slip to a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal.

The Gunners secured the win which took them to the top of the table, but despite remaining eight points adrift of safety at the other end, Garde was reluctant to dissect his side's performance on another frustrating afternoon.

"I know there is a big expectation at home but we were playing the best team currently in England. I don't have any reproach for my players," the Frenchman told BBC Sport.

"I have the feeling that the best team won but I have regrets. To concede an early goal - we did not want that. You don't expect that.

"In the second half it was a good reaction. The performance is not the one you expected but I never saw a player wearing the Villa shirt that was not proud to do that."

Villa return to action against fellow strugglers Newcastle United next Sunday.