Paul Lambert has confirmed that Stiliyan Petrov will captain Aston Villa next season.
The former Celtic player is being treated for acute leukaemia and it was reported in the Bulgarian media that Petrov had retired from football to battle the illness.
Lambert and Petrov played together under Martin O’Neill at Celtic with the new Villa boss unstinting in his praise for his former team-mate.
“Stiliyan is still club captain,” Lambert declared. “He is a huge influence on this football club. I was with him for a few hours, he was doing great and I’m looking forward to going back down to see him.
“I played with him when he was only 19 and he first came over to Scotland. At the time I was told, we were on our way to Fulham. I was just devastated. I couldn’t believe it.
“He’s such a strong lad and a terrific guy. Hopefully he’ll be ok. Your health is more important than anything. I’m sure he’ll beat it.”
Lambert has still to make his first signing as Villa boss but is looking forward to the return to fitness of Darren Bent.
Gerard Houllier spent £22m to bring the England striker from Sunderland in January 2011 and was rewarded with the goals that secured Villa’s place in the Premiership.
Lambert has been linked with a move for Grant Holt at Norwich with finding a striker to partner Bent a priority.
Emile Heskey has left Villa at the end of his contract is reportedly close to joining Hull City to team up with Steve Bruce again after spells together at Birmingham and Wigan.
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