Aston Villa manager Rémi Garde has revealed that his teenage daughter was in Paris last Friday night when 129 people were killed in terror attacks.

The Frenchman was on a plane back to the country when the attacks began, but didn't learn that his daughter was actually in the city until he arrived back at his home.

Fortunately, she was unharmed and safe, but, although Garde says that France were expecting more attacks after the Charlie Hebdo shooting earlier this year, he admits that no one in the country feels safe right now.

Garde's family okay, but affected by attacks

The Villa boss flew home during the two-week international break, but not to what he expected at all.

Speaking to the Telegraph this week, Garde revealed that when he had arrived at his home in France and the attacks were going on, he "learnt that [his] daughter was in Paris for the weekend".

On the taxi home from the airport, he said that he was listening to the France - Germany game "on the radio," and it was announced that there had been "an explosion outside the stadium". 

However, he "didn't know too much at this time," and it wasn't until later that the terror really started to unfold.

Fortunately, Garde was able to get his daughter "on the phone" and learn that she was "ok," having been "scared a little bit" before being able to get in contact with her.

Still, he admitted that, whilst his "family is ok," they are still "affected" by the events and no one in France "is feeling safe at the moment".

France 'prepared' for attacks, but still shaken

Speaking about the events themselves, Garde believes that the country "were quite prepared" for an attack to come again following the "first attack" earlier this year, saying that "it was not as sudden" as many outside France may "imagine".

Still, he describes Friday night as "terrible" and a "nightmare," especially since "lots of people had family in Paris," meaning that "everyone was scared".

He continued, saying that "everyone" in the country has family or friends in the capital, and so "it was very hard" to deal with.

Garde said that "everybody has been affected a lot" too because, although "it's one point" knowing that "your family is safe," the events that happened have affected the entire country and their people.

Tributes pour in

Following events, football has paid tribute to those that lost their lives on Friday night and given their thoughts to the people affected by the attacks.

England's friendly against France the Tuesday after was an incredibly emotional encounter, with Prince William leading the two managers out with flowers before the players and fans came together to remember the lives lost.

This weekend, Premier League football resumes and Garde's Villa will pay their own respects with a minute's silence prior to their match away to Everton on Saturday afternoon.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]