English Premier League: Robert Pires ready to play on till he’s 40 as Grant hails Hodgson
Former Arsenal and French international player, Robert Pires who was a part of Arsenal’s title winning sides in late 90s and early 2000s joined Aston Villa on a six month contract earlier on in the week. The Frenchman has suggested after
his move to Villa that he can play on till he’s 40-years-old. Pires was a classic winger in his peak days as he played in an Arsenal team which included the likes of Henry, Bergkamp, Vieira and Ashley Cole.
However, since leaving Arsenal after the 2006 UEFA Champions League final fall out with Arsene Wenger, Pires’ career has gone down the drain as he has suffered continuous injuries which have resulted in a lack of form for the winger. Pires
said in his recent interview, "I like football. It's my passion. If I have the mentality I will go to six months or why not more? Can I play until 40? I think so, yes. Every day, every morning, it is difficult. If you are younger, it is easy. But, if you have
the mentality, it is not a problem."
Pires will be a good example to the likes of Albrighton, Bannan and Clark who are on the fringes of first team action at Villa Park. Villa drew their last league game against Manchester United at their home stadium after taking a two goal
lead. Pires commented on the youth coming through the ranks at Aston Villa as he stated, "I know in Arsenal they have good reserves but they have very, very good young players here for the future of Aston Villa. Bannan and Wilshere are similar. They have good
quality and good vision. For Arsenal and Aston Villa this is good news."
Bannan also spoke to the media recently as he signed a new three and half year deal with Villa. The Scottish midfielder said, “Everything this season has been unbelievable. I could never have imagined it going so well for me. To get the
deal is icing on the cake really. I knew I was capable of playing the way I have been playing and it was just about getting the chance. The new gaffer (Houllier) has come in and really taken to me. I've had chances and I've taken them. To be here and handed
a new contract is unbelievable. It's a pleasure to be in and around a club like this. I'd sign my life away probably here the way it's going at the moment. It's fantastic."
In other news, Avram Grant, whose team West Ham United suffered a 3 nil defeat at Anfield was the man who leapt to the defence of Roy Hodgson in comments prior to the match. Liverpool’s manager Roy has been under fire recently due to the
lack of consistent results at the Merseyside club. Grant said, "If you look at the career of Roy Hodgson he has had an amazing career. He did well at Fulham and he's a very good manager. I don't pick the manager for Liverpool but he can do a good job. Last
year he was the best manager ever. It can't be that after a few months he's not so good. You have to give a manager time to put his ideas in the team and I'm sure Liverpool will be better. I hope it's after Saturday."
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