Can Robert Pires still perform in the Premier League?

Aston Villa have agreed to sign former-Arsenal winger Robert Pires. The veteran star has been training with his former club since being released by Spanish side Villarreal in the summer.

At 37 years-old of age he is no spring chicken, so the question is can he still cut it in the English top flight?

Age

As previously mentioned Pires is 37 years-old. However he looks to have kept himself physically fit and healthy.

His game wasn’t always based entirely on pace or speed anyway. His greatest asset has always been his good technical ability and football brain.

Villarreal released him as they stated they will be ‘changing their philosophy’. I don’t know how they could be changing their philosophy and not include the former-French international. Maybe they just thought the veteran wasn’t useful anymore.

Villa

Aston Villa has a host of talented young players coming through from their academy. What they lack in experience they make up for in talent and enthusiasm.

The arrival of Pires at Villa Park could help those talented youngsters, especially the likes of young midfielders Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannan. Watching the veteran star in training could really help the youngster’s development.

Gerard Houllier’s side are currently in the midst of an injury crisis and another experienced player is just what Villa is in need of. Pires could prove an inspired transfer, especially on a free transfer. And even if he isn’t a success then he will probably leave at the end of the season anyway.

Statement

Houllier’s assistant Gary McAllister told the official website: “Robert has been training at Arsenal. I know the boss and Arsene Wenger are very friendly and I believe he’s going to join us in the next two or three days.

“It’s perfect. I am sure he will arrive at the training ground in good condition. He’s a player everyone can look up to because of what he has achieved.”

It seems that the Villa coaching staff seems to think that he will be a good influence on everybody at the club thanks to his glorious past.

Glorious

Robert Pires has won everything there is to win in the game. The veteran won three Premier League titles and two FA Cup’s with the Gunners. He also won the World Cup with France in 1998 and European Championship in 2000. He is definitely a winner.

Second Chance

Having been part of one of the best teams in Premier League history at Arsenal surely Pires never thought he would return to English football. There was talk of him returning to the English game in summer 2009 but he decided to stay in La Liga.

He was even linked with a move to follow former-Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry to the MLS. It looks as though he has decided to put the move to America on hold, at least until the end of the season anyway. He must believe he has enough left in the tank to still play in the English top flight.

He has nothing to prove and I really hope he has a successful spell at Aston Villa because he is without doubt one of the best foreign players to ever grace the Premier League. He has nothing to lose in spending a few months in the Midlands, as he will always be regarded as a Gunners hero.

Will Robert Pires be a success in his second stint the Premier League?