Robert Pires

[Bad English]

A few weeks ago, I was thinking that Pires, who was doing punditry during the World Cup, was not really in the training groove. Now that he's here, I have to say it's great to have a universally respected, talented, experienced, genuine champion at Villa Park. He has always come across as a really nice guy (when I've seen him on French TV) and people over here only have good things to say about him.

I'm happy with that.

[Brend'Watkins]

I bet he'll be shit now.

[Simon Ward]

I bet he'll be shit now.

Positive thinking

[Brend'Watkins]

I bet he'll be shit now.

Positive thinking

I was and had until I read BE's post.

[Villa'Zawg]

Houllier said: "I am used to signing old players because I signed Gary McAllister at Liverpool when he was 35.

"He helped us to deliver and get some trophies. When McAllister came to Liverpool, I definitely think it helped Steven Gerrard.

"Pires can also help our younger players develop. It's not only during games, you practice every day in training.

"His game intelligence, experience, attitude, is a good example for the young and sometimes they need tips.

"They can get tips from the manager but can also get tips from players.

"They will be extremely eager to have what he can deliver in terms of attitude and messages, I would say."


Houllier believes Pires still has the desire to succeed in the Premier League, four years after leaving Arsenal, with whom he has been training for the past two months.

He said: "Robert is hungry. That is the main thing. He has got the desire to play. He wants to win things for us.

"It is better to do that in the next 18 months because after that it will be more difficult.

"Robert has never been the quickest but he has got quick feet and the eye for the pass and he will make goals for us. He can score as well."


Pires admits he will take time to regain full sharpness, but is relishing the challenges ahead.

He said: "I've trained for two months with Arsenal and for me now it was a good opportunity to join Villa and Gerard Houllier.

"I know him, I know his work and he is very good. I am very happy here.

"I know for me it is difficult because I need competition. The training and the games are not the same but, more and more, I need to practice football.

"I bring my experience for the team. I know it is a younger team but sometimes in the squad you need a mix of younger and older players like me."


Pires reiterated his desire to win silverware for Villa after lifting two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal plus the World Cup and European Championship with France.

He said: "I hope to win a trophy. For me it is the most important because Villa are a very good team with very good young players.

"Some players are injured like Emile Heskey and John Carew but we have good experienced players.

"I am here to win trophies - the FA Cup or the Carling Cup, why not? - and aim for the Champions League. It is important."

Sporting Life - Clicky

He's right. It is important. Good luck to him.

[hawkeye]

Pires will add to what looks like a very good set up with Sid Mcalister look at the trophys these guys have won

[peter w]

A mate of mine - can't remember if it was a geordie mate, or a yiddo - was telling me about his mates on a night out. A friend of their's was so pissed that he was spark out. So, in the interest of what can only be described as 'eugh' they used someones excretia to draw a line from his nose to his top lip. he woke up with it caked on and he couldn't understand the smell. Even after it came to light he couldn't shift the stink for days apparently. they called this invention a Shitty Pires after his facial hair that was similar at the time.

Lovely. And absolutely true.

[pablopicasso_10]

my mates call me "pires looking motherfucker" because of a similarity between the facial hair...

[Salsa Party Animal]

Let hope Robert can win the missing trophy in his collection next season UEFA Champions League for Aston Villa.

[peter w]

He'll be shit now won't he.

[JUAN PABLO]

Albrighton tweeted

It's not often you get to see a former footballer of the year training. Great to have Robert Pires here.

[eamonn]

Albrighton tweeted

It's not often you get to see a former footballer of the year training. Great to have Robert Pires here.

Doesn't Marc train with Young and Ireland (and Milner before) every day? Young players o't'year yes but still..

[PaulWinch again]

I like the sound of Pires interviews, he seems to be genuinely ambitious.

[supertom]

If he can teach the youngsters, and even Ash Young anything, it'll be the art of off the ball movement. Pires was an absolute master of being in the right place at the right time, attacking from the wide areas in midfield. He score a lot of goals for Arsenal from midfield.

He's not a show boater, but he's technically very good, and he's got a proper footballing brain. He knows how to "ping" a football too. It's one of those things very few English players can do IMO, and kind of what Daveed was referring to about the deficiencies in the English game, but sometimes you get those players who can just "ping" a football, when they pass it or have a shot. I dunno what it is, but the ball seems to glide or swerve that bit more majestically. Bergkamp for example was a maestro at that art.

He's not gonna be skinning people left, right and centre, though pace was never his biggest asset, but I can't wait to see Bobby in action, even if merely cameo displays.

[Toronto Villa]

I just watched the Pires press conference. This might sound sad, but isn't it bloody great to see our manager sat next to a foreign player? Especially one with as much talent as Pires has, despite his age. Just makes me feel that we are back now looking at top players from around the globe again.