Robert Pires eyes a cup with Villa

New recruit Robert Pires has immediately targeted ending Villa's 14-year trophy drought after becoming the first signing of Gerard Houllier's French revolution.

The 37-year-old former Arsenal star and World Cup winner, who has been without a club since leaving Spanish side Villarreal in the summer, completed his shock move to Villa Park yesterday after agreeing a six-month contract.

Villa now hope to gain international clearance before noon today to enable the player to be registered in time for Sunday's Premier League trip to Blackburn.

Pires is delighted to be linking up with fellow Frenchman Houllier and insists he has come to add to his already bulging medal collection which includes a World Cup, European Championship, two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

He said: "I would love to win a trophy - the Carling Cup or FA Cup. It would be nice to compete for a Champions League place too. I love to have objectives and challenges.

"I am very happy to join Aston Villa because it's a big club in England. I am also happy to have the chance of working with Gerard Houllier. I know him.

"I had a good opportunity two months ago to train with Arsenal. Thanks to Arsene Wenger for that. Now this move represents a new opportunity and a new challenge for me.

"Playing for Gerard was a big factor. He is French and I am French and he is a great manager. Look at what he won at Liverpool.

Villa manager Houllier believes the know-how of his new signing will benefit the club.

He said: "Robert is an experienced player and he can help the players here, particularly our younger players.

"I believe he can bring a lot to the team."

The move evokes memories of Houllier's inspired capture of Gary McAllister - now his assistant at Villa - at Liverpool when the Scot was in the twilight of his career.

McAllister said: "When I went to Liverpool people used to say I brought experience to the younger ones, but it was the other way around.

"It was the young ones who refreshed my mind and got me going again and hopefully the younger ones here will do the same with Robert."

Villa hope Richard Dunne and Gabby Agbonlahor will shake off knocks for Sunday, while Ciaran Clark is fit.