Aston Villa keen on former Arsenal star

The 37-year-old is available on a free transfer after being released by Villarreal in the summer.

Pires has previously revealed that he was closing in on a move to a Championship side.

The Sun reports that Houllier is keen on signing his fellow countryman as he is currently struggling with injuries to players such as Nigel Reo-Coker and Stiliyan Petrov.