Pires optimistic about Villa future

Aston Villa’s French midfielder Robert Pires is hopeful of extending his stay at the Midlands club beyond this season.

Pires linked up with manager Gerard Houllier at Villa in November on an initial six-month deal as his compatriot looked to add experience to his relegation-threatened squad.

The 37-year-old’s arrival has coincided with an upturn in form for the Villans, who now just sit a point and goal difference out of the top-half of the Premier League table, and Pires hopes he can continue to make an impact next season.

“For me, every morning I need to practice my football,” Pires said.

“I hope to play games and I hope to play next season. Why not? I would like to stay at Villa for another season. I really love this club.”

“I love the players because it is a very good team. I know Gerard Houllier, I am French, he is French. The most important for me is to help this team because I have experience. I know I’m not going to play every game. I’m old.”

Although he has only made six appearances since his arrival, Pires’ experience has been vital and he was the recipient of a standing ovation by the Villa Park faithful after starring in the club’s 4-1 home victory over Blackburn on Saturday.

After not playing football for six months after the end of the 2009/10 season with Villarreal, it has taken Pires time to get his fitness and match sharpness back to Premier League standards.

But judging by Saturday’s performance, Pires is capable of being a big contributor in the second half of the season.

“When I play, I try to play very well, like against Blackburn at the weekend,” he said.

“But, for me, I need to help this team, or the younger players, because I have the experience.”

Despite a poor start to the season, Villa are much improved, having lost just one of their last seven Premier League fixtures and Pires says there is a great team spirit within the squad ahead of Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at the City of Manchester Stadium.

“Sometimes it is difficult in the middle of the season when you change the manager,” Pires said. “It is difficult for the new manager, for the players, for the chairman, for the coach, for everyone.”

“But there is a great team spirit and, when you play like against Blackburn, you have more confidence. We have two months for climbing the table. The situation is not good. You need to work more, win game after game. But the next is in the FA Cup and the objective is to win the FA Cup.”