Premier League - Petrov signs new Villa deal

Eurosport - Wed, 20 May 17:52:00 2009

Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has ended speculation about his future by signing a new four-year contract.

2008-2009 Aston Villa Stiliyan Petrov - 0

The Bulgaria international had only 12 months remaining of his current deal and recently intimated sorting out fellow midfielder Gareth Barry's future would have a big bearing on his own decision.

But the club's player of the year has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Villa Park until the end of the 2012-2013 campaign.

Boss Martin O'Neill is thrilled to have secured the services of Petrov on a long-term basis.

He said: "I am delighted. It is only just a year ago that people were concerning themselves about whether Stiliyan had a future here. But he has battled back so much so that I'd like him to be around here for the next few years.

"If every person shows the same determination and willingness and drive that Stiliyan has shown the last year, there will be a future for anyone at the club."

PA Sport / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 10 of 10

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  1. Well done Stiliyan a fantastic season. We'll­ strengthen again in The Summer and although Barry may­ be a loss to us, I think we can take another­ significant step forward next season.

    From tuscanvillan, on Thu 21 May 8:33AM

  2. means absolutely nothing, Petrov left celtic weeks­ after signing a long term contract. and will probably­ do the same again

    From eddies, on Thu 21 May 7:36AM

  3. Excellent, glad we kept him, hopefully Barry will­ follow suit!

    From Steve, on Wed 20 May 8:26PM

  4. armchair support and watching a player on a highlights­ programe can make anyone look average. petrov was­ named player of the year by those who watch him­ consistently play well week after week, when you look­ at other players who grace Villa park to recieve this­ award shows how well he has done for us this season.­ well done Stan you deserve it. UTV

    From neildry, on Wed 20 May 7:52PM

  5. i think your find highly rated players are the good­ ones though

    From Jimmyrice man u are champs again, on Wed 20 May 7:48PM

  6. do you see him week in week out, I dont think so. who­ do you even support? he isnt highly rated but he does­ his job and works hard

    From sam.andrews91, on Wed 20 May 7:24PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i agree with 2 he is no more than average if he nevr­ signed where wold he have gone bolton or blackburn no­ doubt, 4 you say he makes things happen all that has­ happened to villa in 09 is you bottled it an got­ knocked out of everything an now your 6th so if he­ makes that happen you better off without him

    From Jimmyrice man u are champs again, on Wed 20 May 5:27PM

  8. average? hes a great player, works hard and makes­ things happen even if he doesnt score many he makes it­ possible for others to do so

    From sam.andrews91, on Wed 20 May 3:11PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    well done villa, you've managed to keep a very­ average player. keep it up.hahaha

    From Alex W, on Wed 20 May 2:10PM

  10. Just simply brilliant, great professional, great­ player, gutted that Laursen has had to retire, I do­ think we are going in the right direction. A bigger­ squad is what we need so we do not throw honours away­ like the EUFA cup this season, we easily could have won­ it this year but if we keep a nucleus of young talented­ players combined with experience like Petrov then the­ future is certainly bright. I do think that we should­ build from the back and have a suspicion that the­ players do not relish playing at home like MON says as­ the Brummie fans have always been the same and tell it­ as it is, obviously my opinion as the away fans just­ support the players through thick and thin.

    From DAVID, on Wed 20 May 1:37PM
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