Official: Robert Pires is a Aston Villa player

Pires has signed until the end of the season.

Robert Pires was released by Spanish side Villarreal and the end of last season and he is Gerard Houllier’s first signing as coach of Aston Villa.

Pires has been keeping in shape by training with Arsenal for the past two months and he is ready to start playing immediately. If he does play, it will be against Blackburn Rovers this Sunday.

Speaking to the Aston Villa TV, Pires said “It’s no problem for me to play on Sunday, I’ve been training with Arsenal for the past two months and I’m happy and in good form. I hope to be part of the trip to Blackburn.”

"I spoke with Gerard at the weekend. Like me he is very happy because he needs me, I need him. The team is young. I think it is a good mix.'

"I can't wait to play and put on that new shirt. It is very exciting," Pires continued. "I am very happy to join Aston Villa because it's a big club in England ... this move represents a new opportunity and a new challenge for me. I am very happy to start."

At 37 years of age, Pires has a number of titles to be proud of. He won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal and the coveted World Cup and Euro 2000 with France.