The former Lyon coach has a watching brief for Villa's trip to Tottenham for Monday night's Premier League match, live on Sky Sports 1, with caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald on the touchline.
It is understood the 49-year-old Garde is expected to sign a three-and-a-half year deal at Villa Park, with the American owners finally securing a long term successor to Tim Sherwood, sacked after last week's 2-1 home defeat by Swansea City.