Soccer:Former France midfielder Robert Pires will join Aston Villa on a free transfer later this week. The 37-year-old has been training with Arsenal having been released by Spanish club Villarreal earlier in the year.
Pires, who won two Premier League titles during a six-year spell with Arsenal and has winners medals from France's successes at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, will join up with Gerard Houllier.
"I know the boss and (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger are very friendly and I believe he's going to join us in the next two or three days," Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister said .
"He's a player everyone can look up to because of what he has achieved. I am sure he will arrive at the training ground in good condition."