Aston Villa manager Remi Garde has revealed that he sent Tiago Ilori back to Liverpool as the defender was not fit.

Ilori's loan spell at Villa was cut short recently and many believed that the defender was recalled by Liverpool due to their current injury crisis in central defence.

However, Villa boss Garde has gone on to reveal that it was actually his decision to send back Ilori to Liverpool as the Portuguese youngster did not maintain the expected fitness standards at Villa Park.

Garde said: "He (Ilori) has gone back. The player was not happy about his situation at this football club and not playing.

"When I arrived he was not totally fit, I don't know exactly what happened between August and the beginning of November.

"He was not always injured but he trained with me. It was my decision and he's gone back to Liverpool."

During his time in the Midlands, 22-year-old Ilori failed to make a single senior appearance for Villa.