Stiliyan Petrov has detailed the emotional toll of being denied a playing return at Aston Villa after recovering from acute leukaemia. The former club captain, who made 219 appearances before his diagnosis in March 2012, joined the squad for pre-season training in 2016 hoping to extend his career following their relegation to the Championship.
Speaking on the In The Mixer podcast with Gabby Agbonlahor and host Laura Kirk-Francis, Petrov recalled the physical demands of preparing for professional football again. He noted that three years of treatment had caused him to lose muscle mass and gain weight, requiring significant sacrifice to rebuild his endurance ahead of that summer's sessions.
According to Birmingham Live, who reported his comments yesterday, the 47-year-old explained how manager Roberto Di Matteo informed him he would not receive a contract. Petrov said he tried to persuade the Italian to delay the judgement, but was met with a final decision that left him in tears when he returned home to his wife, Paulina.
Despite receiving interest from League One clubs during that period, the Bulgarian international insisted he had no desire to represent anyone else. He maintained that completing his career at Villa was the only outcome he wanted, even if it meant playing for just six months or a year.
Petrov initially announced his retirement in 2013, a year after his diagnosis. His brief comeback attempt three years later remains one of the more poignant episodes in the club's recent history, illustrating how much the midfielder valued his connection to Villa Park.
