Former Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has stated his desire to return to professional football, after successfully recovering from leukaemia.
Petrov, who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in March 2012, has indicated that he is getting closer to full fitness, as he looks to make a sensational comeback.
Since retiring in 2013, Petrov has been sporadically involved at Villa, including a spell helping to coach the U-21’s alongside U-21 manager Gordan Cowans, as well as a short spell helping to coach the first team during the early part of Tim Sherwood’s reign as Villa manager.
During his seven year spell at Villa, Petrov quickly became a fan favourite and was named captain in 2009 after Martin Laursen was forced to retire.
The Daily Mail report Petrov, speaking at his foundation’s golf day, as saying:
I’m looking forward to a return to football again.
I’ve told Aston Villa that I’m ready to start a pre-season with them. Obviously they will always have the first look.
I’ve been working close to the idea for a year and a half and I’ve managed to come a long way. I started gradually with slow runs then I moved to five-a-side and then 11-a-side and half a pitch, then Sunday League.
Petrov also confirmed he had been taking part in training with Villa’s U-21 side, as he looks to build up his fitness ahead of a possible comeback.
I’ve been given permission to train with Villa U21s for the last four months. We’ve done a couple of tests in the last two weeks and my fitness is getting close to when I retired.
I’m really excited and I understand the odds will be against me.
The former Villa captain also spoke about Villa’s relegation to the Championship, stating that all of the players need to take responsibility for relegation.
They’re relegated not just because of individual error but collective error. Now they need to understand they have 12 big months ahead and everyone needs to pull in the right direction.
Fans, the new board, the players, everyone needs to understand there needs to be a hard 12 months, it’ll be a bumpy road, playing Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday.
But if everyone pulls together then we can make this club great again.
What are your thoughts on Petrov’s potential return?
