Aston Villa about to sign Robert Pires
Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires is set to join Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa.
The Frenchman, whose contract with Spanish side Villareal was not extended for the 2010–11 season, spent parts of October training at Arsenal's training ground to retain his fitness.
Pires played for Arsene Wenger's team for six seasons after the manager brought him to London from Olympique de Marseille in 2000.
Villa, who will sign the player as a free agent in absence of any present contract, confirmed the imminence of the deal via the club's official website.
"I believe he's going to join us in the next two to three days," assistant manager Gary McAllister said. "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."
Pires was part of the French team that won the 1998 World Cup and the European championships two years later.
During his time at Arsenal, the midfielder won two league titles and three FA Cup trophies.
Now appreciates the English game
The Frenchman has yet to comment on the deal, but recently told UK monthly
FourFourTwo that it took him some time to adapt to English football.
"By the 20th minute [of my first league game away to Sunderland] I was already thinking, what am I doing here? It was hard, very different to France, but in the end I got used to it. I wouldn’t say you’re scared but you can see that you have to change how
you play — English football is physical, they kick you very hard. But now I like it a lot."
Villa are currently ninth in the league table with 17 points from 13 games. Their next league game is against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday 21 November.
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