Stan Petrov took a significant step in his incredible comeback trail with a 45 minute scoring appearance for Aston Villa in their 8-0 win over Austrian side GAK 1902.
Four years on from being diagnosed with acute leukaemia and undergoing chemotherapy treatment the Bulgarian was back in a Villa shirt and wearing the captain’s armband.
After successfully overcoming leukaemia Petrov started playing local amateur football Wychall Wanderers in the Central Warwickshire Over-35’s League sparking the ambition of returning to top level football.
Villa had offered the former Celtic midfielder a coaching role at the club but the round the clock demands proved too much but now there is the possibility of a full return under new boss Roberto di Matteo.
Reports from the match against GAK 1902 despite Petrov as looking fit but rusty in terms of match fitness- exactly what any 37-year-old would be expected to be like in the first pre-season outing.
With Villa relegated to The Championship di Matteo’s side face a marathon 46 game campaign with the experience of Petrov invaluable after last season’s demoralising relegation from the Premiership.
#AVFCinAustria: And to see @StanPetrov19 looking happy, healthy and in the #AVFC shirt again…???????????? pic.twitter.com/XQpJaWJbIS
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) July 10, 2016
Announcing Petrov’s return Villa issued a statement saying: “Aston Villa Football Club is pleased to confirm Stiliyan Petrov will take part in pre-season training at first-team level.
“Manager Roberto Di Matteo has revealed the former Club captain will travel with the group to Austria as he joins the squad at their training camp. Stan will report next week with the rest of the group.”
After his comeback with Wychurch Wanderers Petrov said: “What I went through was hell and very tough. My biggest achievement is just to be alive. But I am still here and can kick a ball around.
“I always thought if I have even just a little chance to play five-a-side or something I would still play.
“Being a Premier League player coming to this, overweight and with no speed, you just enjoy the game. It is Sunday League football, that is where football starts.
“Coming on Sunday with a smile looking forward to it is something I don’t want to let go of. The facilities don’t bother me, I grew up in a rough environment in Bulgaria and this is like back to my youth years.”
It seems that there are further chapters ahead in the incredible Petrov story.
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