The 1998 World Cup winner has been in talks with the club as a free agent following his release by Spanish side Villarreal in the summer. Villa boss Gerard Houllier is currently short of options in midfield due to injuries while Pires has been training with Arsenal and could be thrown into action quickly. Pires, 37, won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners as well as the European Championship trophy in 2000 with France. Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister told the club's 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."
