Robert Pires set to complete move to Aston Villa
Pires has been training with Arsenal in recent weeks
Aston Villa are set to sign former Arsenal winger Robert Pires later this week, according to the club's website.
The 37-year-old was released by Spanish club Villarreal in the summer and is available as a free agent.
Pires helped France win the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship as well as winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal.
Villa's assistant boss Gary McAllister confirmed: "I believe he's going to join us in the next two to three days."
Pires, who spent six years with the Gunners and was voted their sixth greatest player of all time in an online poll, has been training with his former manager Arsene Wenger at Arsenal's training ground in recent weeks.
His arrival at Villa Park will be a boost for manager Gerard Houllier's squad which has been depleted by injuries to the likes of John Carew, Emile Heskey, Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell this month.
McAllister added: "I know the [Villa] boss [Houllier] and Arsene Wenger are very friendly.
"It's perfect. I am sure he will arrive at the training ground in good condition.
"He's a player everyone can look up to because of what he has achieved."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/9195439.stm
+4
Mal
Marvin
Steadman
Scouser_Dave
8 posters
Robert Pires set to join Aston Villa
Scouser_Dave-
- Posts : 7498
Steadman-
- Posts : 6134
Age : 32
Location : London
Supports : I have humor, yes.
Scored seven La Liga goals last season, such a technically gifted player.
Marvin- .
- Posts : 13039
Age : 34
Location : Hollyoaks
Supports : Hollyoaks
Back to the bench for Downing then.
Scouser_Dave-
- Posts : 7498
coolmarvin wrote:Back to the bench for Downing then.
Or in a more central role in the midfield?
Marvin- .
- Posts : 13039
Age : 34
Location : Hollyoaks
Supports : Hollyoaks
Downing in centre mid?Scouser_Dave wrote:coolmarvin wrote:Back to the bench for Downing then.
Or in a more central role in the midfield?
Or do you mean Pires?
Guess he could replace one of the central mids. Not sure who though. Anyway, I said that comment assuming that Pires replaces Young in his position just behind the striker and then Young goes back out wide left.
Guest- Guest
He's past it 
Scouser_Dave-
- Posts : 7498
coolmarvin wrote:Downing in centre mid?Scouser_Dave wrote:coolmarvin wrote:Back to the bench for Downing then.
Or in a more central role in the midfield?
Or do you mean Pires?
Anyway, I said that comment assuming that Pires replaces Young in his position just behind the striker and then Young goes back out wide left.
Didn't Downing play in the CM role and do well for abit last season? I know Milner played there but am sure MON tried Downing there for a few games
Marvin- .
- Posts : 13039
Age : 34
Location : Hollyoaks
Supports : Hollyoaks
He probably did, but I don't recall it happening.Scouser_Dave wrote:coolmarvin wrote:Downing in centre mid?Scouser_Dave wrote:coolmarvin wrote:Back to the bench for Downing then.
Or in a more central role in the midfield?
Or do you mean Pires?
Anyway, I said that comment assuming that Pires replaces Young in his position just behind the striker and then Young goes back out wide left.
Didn't Downing play in the CM role and do well for abit last season? I know Milner played there but am sure MON tried Downing there for a few games
Still, it's a nice problem to have.
Mal-
- Posts : 31043
Age : 34
Bobby 
Guest- Guest
Reading this got me hard.
One of my favourite all time players
One of my favourite all time players
Scuba Steve-
- Posts : 6682
Age : 37
Retirement league.
Walcott-
- Posts : 14547
Location : at the stewards with Lewis Hamilton.
Supports : Arsenal & Lewis Hamilton.
I agree, thats why Balotelli joined the EPL, aswell as Hernandez, Koscielny and Ben Arfa. They are retiring soon arn't they.Scuba Steve wrote:Retirement league.
El Jefe-
- Formerly known as : Jay
Posts : 10657
Location : In the hall, already, on the wall, already
Supports : Pixie Lott's Legs
He could be good for them in a CAM role, or a deep lying play-maker position.
Torresxvilla-
- Posts : 893
Don't know if he can compete at the Prem level at his age, but he was a great player.