Source: Daily_Mail
Robert Pires signs for Aston Villa after passing medical
Robert Pires has confirmed he has signed a six-month contract with Aston Villa.The 37-year-old winger passed a medical in the west Midlands and arrives as a free agent after leaving Spanish Villarreal in the summer.Pires insists he is fit to make his debut against Blackburn on Sunday after training for several weeks with former club Arsenal. On the move: Free agent Pires has been training with former club Arsenal in his bid to secure a new team'I'm very happy here because I like English football,' he told Sky Sports News. 'For me it's important to work again. I am ready to play on Sunday against Blackburn, hopefully on the bench.Asked about his new boss Gerard Houllier, Pires said: 'Like me he is very happy. He needed me and I needed him. 'I'm going to the club with experience. It's a young club and I think it's a good mix.'It is though that Houllier picked out Pires as a perfect training-ground role model for Villa's crop of talented youngsters such as such as Marc Albrighton, Barry Banna, Nathan Delfouneso and Ciaran Clark. Villa thriller: Marc Albrighton celebrates scoring against Manchester UnitedBut, with injuries depleting the first-team squad, Pires should also get plenty of opportunities to play.Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has already backed Pires to shine despite passing up the chance to re-sign him, and France boss Laurent Blanc was equally full of praise after leading his country to a 2-1 win against England on Wednesday night.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. 'Hewill 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.' Villa confirm midfielder Delph should be back from injury in the New YearMartin O'Neill's exit as Villa boss was big break for me, says BannanTHE MIDLANDER: Forget Manchester United, Liverpool and West Ham, England's real Academy of Football is. Aston VillaASTON VILLA FC