Stiliyan Petrov targets Birmingham derby return

[Rip Van We Go Again]

From bbc.co.uk/football

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov is hoping to make his first-team return from a knee injury in the derby clash with Birmingham City on 16 January.

The Bulgarian, 31, has not played since suffering the problem in the defeat at Sunderland in October.

After stepping up his rehabilitation work, he now hopes to return to full training in the next couple of weeks.

"With a bit of luck, I will be back for the derby away at Birmingham in mid-January," he said.

"It has been a painful experience for me. Throughout my career, I've never missed too many games through injury and it's not something I've enjoyed.

"I just have to be patient for a little longer but my knee is now well and truly on the mend.

 I aim to be pushing for a recall within 10 days or maybe a couple of weeks of returning to training

"I've really stepped up my work rate recently and I'm looking to be back in training within the next couple of weeks.

"Then I aim to be pushing for a recall within 10 days or maybe a couple of weeks of returning to training."

 

[SO Villa]

Probably our most improved player over the last couple of months.

[darren woolley]

We are starting to get our injured player's back now which is a good thing.

[sfx412]

Not my favourite but you have to admire his attitude, hope he gets back fighting fit soon.

Has Coker signed a new contract yet.

[TimTheVillain]

Excellent news, we miss him greatly.

[Chris Smith]

We do miss him and I think players like Bannan and Hogg will benefit from having his experience to guide them.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

You don't realise how important some players are till they're missing, same with Milner.

[Shrek]

You don't realise how important some players are till they're missing, same with Milner.

True, but I think we all knew how important Milner was.

[cdbearsfan]

I think we would probably have beaten Man U and Fulham and got at least a draw at Stoke with Petrov in the team. People moan at him for not spraying 40-yard passes every two minutes but he doesn't give the ball away much and will add a bit of composure to a very young team.... especially useful when you're defending a lead.

Hope he's back soon. By the time he and Delph return our midfield might have a bit of strength in depth. Obviously, I don't include Sidwell or Ireland in that.

[Greg N'Ash]

Seems an awfully long way away to me, if only a month. Without doubt the most crucial christmas period we've encountered for many a year.

[Toronto Villa]

We miss his intelligence and calming influence. We not only need him back but we need to develop or find ourselves a younger version.

[JUAN PABLO]

whens Osboune back   '-D

[rutski]

damn good player, massively underated

[*shellac*]

whens Osboune back   '-D

No news of him yet?

He should be back in BH after his hectic 287 days world tour spreading the gospel of Aston Villa.  I guess he probably ended up as the chief of some bats-eating tribe in Bolivia.

[TimTheVillain]

Re. Stan, if he could add a few goals to his game, he'd be such a great player.