Source: Daily_Mail
Robert Pires will the party at Aston Villa, insists France boss Laurent Blanc
France coach Laurent Blanc has backed Gerard Houllier's bid to take Robert Pires back to the Barclays Premier League at the age of 37. [LNB]Pires, a World Cup winner with France in 1998, is expected to confirm his move to Aston Villa before the weekend.[LNB] The former Arsenal star has been a free agent since his release by Villarreal in the summer, and Blanc, who played alongside Pires in Les Bleus' World Cup-winning squad 12 years ago, said: 'If Gerard Houllier has made the decision, then Pires can offer something. [LNB] He's back: Pires (centre) has recently been training with former club Arsenal[LNB]Spell in Spain: Pires was released by Villarreal in the summer[LNB]'He will not be wrong. Pires may be getting on in years but still has the skill and technique to bring something to the party at Aston Villa.'[LNB]Should the deal go through, Pires will add experience to the Villa midfield at a time when Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell are sidelined through injury. [LNB]Houllier has been impressed with youngsters Barry Bannan and Marc Albrighton but a fit and firing Pires would be a useful addition. [LNB]Pires, who won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal, has been training with the Gunners in recent weeks. [LNB]Meanwhile Pires has confirmed that he is in talks with the Midlands club but insists he has not yet signed a contract.[LNB] Pires is back! French star to join Villa (at 37) - and Houllier wants Benzema too!Benzema heads Villa's French revolution as Houllier lines up Cisse and PiresWe don't want Owen: Villa boss rules out January swoop for United strikerASTON VILLA FC
