Pires reveals Australia offer

Aston Villa midfielder Robert Pires has revealed he could continue his playing career in Australia.

The 37-year-old signed a six-month deal with the English Premier League outfit in November and has impressed in his nine appearances he has made with the club, scoring one goal.But with manager Gerard Houllier set to look to the future at the end of this season, Pires is likely to move on and Australia’s A-League could be his next destination.”I’m prepared to retire in May if that’s what it comes to, but I am also ready to go wherever an interesting proposition comes from,” Pires told FIFA’s official website.”Be it Qatar or the US. I’ve even had an offer from Australia.”"I’m still playing in the Premier League so I get noticed. People haven’t forgotten about me. Anyway, one thing at a time. I’ll look at that at the end of the season.”Pires would be an ideal marquee signing for any A-League club and his experience would be invaluable to some of Australia’s finest young players.The Frenchman is viewed as a legend by Arsenal fans, having helped the club to two Premier League titles and three FA Cup successes in his six-season stint in North London.Throughout that spell, Pires scored 62 goals in 189 Premier League appearances and was awarded the Football Writers Association Player of the Year in 2001/02.

Mon 28 March, 2011

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.”

Tue 1 March, 2011

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.”

Tue 1 March, 2011

Tottenham Boss Harry Redknapp and Robert Pires Square Up (Video)

1 comment by Mad Dog and Glory on December 27th, 2010

As a cliché ridden commentator would probably say, this is all just handbags but it does make you wonder what Harry Redknapp said to former Arsenal legend Robert Pires as it appeared to rile up the Aston Villa man. Love the way Joe Jordan just stares sedately at the Frenchman as he walks away. I am sure they all made up after the match.

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