What an inspiration this man is.
Stiliyan Petrov hasn’t played for Aston Villa for more than four years after his victorious battle with leukaemia.
But the club has confirmed the legendary 36-year-old will link up with the side in their Championship pre-season.
The former Celtic man has hero status at the Midlands club and if anyone can inspire a charge back up into the Premier League it’s him.
We can confirm @StanPetrov19 will join the first team for pre-season. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/CcwlLjInOF
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 23, 2016
It hit the Bulgarian hard to watch his beloved Villa slip out of the top flight, but it now it looks like he could take some part in Villa’s future if he can prove his form and fitness.
Petrov trained with the U21 squad last season to get him on the road back to fitness as he tries to reignite his career. It looks like he may fly out with the squad to Austria over the summer.
What a story it would be if he could take his place in the Villa side when the Championship season kicks off under Roberto Di Matteo.
Villa fans on Twitter were delighted with the news the club hero will feature in pre-season…
https://twitter.com/LukeMassey/status/745934644932186113
what a hero!
— Mark Kendrick (@mark_kendrick) June 23, 2016
YESSSSSSSS
— MB 👑 (@MattyBirddd) June 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/avfcforever/status/745936464287006720
@STVGrant @StanPetrov19 good luck Stan 👏⚽️
— RoyalBlue_1872 (@watp_54_) June 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/Roy1Batty/status/745937581322407936
Great news. Top player
— Iceman (@Iceman1875) June 23, 2016
absolutely fantastic news !!! 🍀🍀Hail Hail stan
— pinTpot™ (@pintpot88) June 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/karlsmith8511/status/745940330965508097
