Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is keen to give new signing Robert Pires his debut.
The scale 37-year-old newcomer could make his Villa debut at Ewood Park after signing a six month deal.
Houllier will carefully manage the work-load of the former Arsenal player who has been training with the Gunners for the past six months.
He said: "Robert is hungry to win. He has practically won everything in football. He is a champion. He has won a lot of things.
"I won't make him play him three games a week, I will manage him."
