---
title: "Petrov to join Villa for pre-season"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/06/23/petrov-join-villa-pre-season/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ste Hoare"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2016-06-23T11:20:01Z"
modified: "2016-06-23T11:20:01Z"
---

# Petrov to join Villa for pre-season

Aston Villa have confirmed that Stiliyan Petrov will join the first-team for pre-season and he will also travel with the team to Austria when they leave to spend time at a training camp.

> Twitter: We can confirm @StanPetrov19 will join the first team for pre-season. #AVFC [https://t.co/CcwlLjInOF](https://t.co/CcwlLjInOF) (@AVFCOfficial)

> Twitter: We can also confirm that @StanPetrov19 will join the squad for the training camp in Austria. #AVFC [https://t.co/WaCBM33bAa](https://t.co/WaCBM33bAa) (@AVFCOfficial)

Petrov was forced to retire from football in May 2003 as he fought leukaemia. He joined the coaching set-up at Villa Park back in 2015 and earlier this year, he announced that he was training with Villa’s Under 21 squad as he looked to return to the game as a player.

![Michael Regan/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/06/111955001.jpg)

Back in April, Petrov told the BBC that his fitness levels were improving and despite being 36-years-old, he wants to get back to playing as a full time professional.

Villa have agreed to let ‘Stan’ join them for pre-season and if he can prove his fitness, there could be an opportunity for him to get into Roberto Di Matteo’s squad as the Villans look to gain promotion next year