Aston Villa midfielder Stilyan Petrov believes his renaissance with Bulgaria in recent months has had a positive influence on his form.

Petrov's international career looked over after he had a fall-out with previous Bulgarian coach Hristo Stoichkov but it has blossomed again under Stanimir Stoilov.

He said: "I went through a very hard time in the national team. There were a few hard months, I retired. That definitely affected my form and my concentration and I'm happy everything is going well now.

"I play a deeper role now. We have a new manager, we play a different system. It has definitely had a positive effect on my club form.

"I'm playing in the best and hardest league in the world and fighting to achieve something to be proud of, with and against the best players. You can't ask for anything more."