Veteran Pires to bolster Villa squad

The 37-year-old Frenchman has been without a club since he was told by Spanish outfit Villarreal his services were no longer required in May.

According to Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister, free agent Pires is poised to sign for the English Premier League club.

“I believe he’s going to join us in the next two to three days,” McAllister said.

Pires, who trained briefly with his former club Arsenal last month in a bid to maintain his fitness levels, will provide cover for a Villa squad decimated by injuries to key players Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Steve Sidwell, John Carew and Emile Heskey.

Pires was part of the French sides that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships, and McAllister said he would be an ideal role model for Gerard Houllier’s Villa squad.

“I am sure he will arrive at the training ground in good condition,” McAllister said.

“He’s a player everyone can look up to because of what he has achieved.”