Petrov looking to prove Houllier wrong

[Rip Van We Go Again]

sportinglife.com

Aston Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov wants to prove manager Gerard Houllier wrong and play a bigger role in the battle for Barclays Premier League survival.

Petrov won his 100th cap for Bulgaria during the recent international break and the achievement was honoured by Villa ahead of yesterday's game with Newcastle.

The midfielder is no longer guaranteed an automatic place in the Villa starting line-up with Houllier signing Jean Makoun in January and giving an extended run to Nigel Reo-Coker.

But Petrov was back in the first eleven for the first time in more than two months - apart from an FA Cup tie at Manchester City - against the Magpies.

He earned praise after the game from Houllier and is hoping he can have a greater involvement in the finale to the campaign.

Petrov told Press Association Sport: "It is difficult when you are not playing, not just because I'm the club captain, but because I love playing.

"It's been a frustrating time and it's not been happening for me.

"But you just have to deal with it and try and get back in the team.

"It is down to the manager to decide. He makes the decisions and we just need to stick with them.

"I can only prove him wrong with my game. I feel I have done that. I hope I can keep going now."

Petrov admits ensuring Villa stay in the top flight is the most important thing.

He said: "The main thing is to stay in the top flight because we are in a very difficult position.

"With all the talent that we have got here, and haven't shown this season, we know that we can win games.

"As long as we can keep clean sheets, we know that we have got players who can score goals.

"It was a massive win for us against Newcastle. I'm not going to lie, we know how important the three points were for us.

"We know where we are at the moment and it was massive."

Petrov added: "We have had a frustrating season and when we get the points that make us safe, maybe we will play some more football.

"At the moment it is about getting points and climbing the table.

"It's hard, we've been looking behind our backs for a long time but I hope we get out of it soon."

[Mazrim]

"As long as we can keep clean sheets, we know that we have got players who can score goals."

And therein lies the rub. Even under the much maligned Houllier we have rarely been outplayed, it's only really been injuries, sloppiness and mistakes that have cost us so many points and the difference between where we are now and the top 6 or 7.

A team as average as Everton are in 7th place for instance.

Anyway, nice words from Stan and hard to argue with. I still think he'll be elsewhere next season and probably rightly so.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Hopefully he can carry on the form he showed Saturday, while he's still with us.

Best game i've seen him play for some time.

[DB]

"As long as we can keep clean sheets, we know that we have got players who can score goals."

And therein lies the rub. Even under the much maligned Houllier we have rarely been outplayed, it's only really been injuries, sloppiness and mistakes that have cost us so many points and the difference between where we are now and the top 6 or 7.

A team as average as Everton are in 7th place for instance.

Anyway, nice words from Stan and hard to argue with. I still think he'll be elsewhere next season and probably rightly so.

I don't agree with your last comment, if he can keep putting on performances like he did on Sat then I would still have him in the squad... It may have been a one off to show GH, but he can still do it.

I still think GH needs to get the midfiled right, I don't think he know his best players in the right positions and more importantly have to play off each other.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

"As long as we can keep clean sheets, we know that we have got players who can score goals."

And therein lies the rub. Even under the much maligned Houllier we have rarely been outplayed, it's only really been injuries, sloppiness and mistakes that have cost us so many points and the difference between where we are now and the top 6 or 7.

A team as average as Everton are in 7th place for instance.

Anyway, nice words from Stan and hard to argue with. I still think he'll be elsewhere next season and probably rightly so.

I don't agree with your last comment, if he can keep putting on performances like he did on Sat then I would still have him in the squad... It may have been a one off to show GH, but he can still do it.

Not so sure.
I like Stan, but I honestly think his legs are starting to go, hence Houllier not playing him in every game.

[DB]

Yes, sorry, I meant more of a squad player than a def starter every game - still useful to have.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Yes, sorry, I meant more of a squad player than a def starter every game - still useful to have.

Aye.
I wouldn't mind keeping him if he was willing to sit on the bench, but I would imagine he'll want regular games now he's getting on a bit.

[UsualSuspect]

MLS beckons and a Golden Goodbye

[Mazrim]

MLS beckons and a Golden Goodbye

He hasn't been a great player but I dont think pissing on him is called for.

[Concrete John]

Straight question - would we prefer NRC or Stan to stay next season?

NRC for me!   

[Mazrim]

Straight question - would we prefer NRC or Stan to stay next season?

NRC for me!   

Me too. Without question.

[fredm]

I would like Stan to stay next season.  His experience must count for a lot with the likes of Albrighton, Bannan, Clark etc.  Wouldn't expect him to be a regular starter but neither is Scholes at Man U.  Stan knows how to keep the ball, is one of our better passers and no one can beat him for milking free kicks when we are in our danger area!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I still think GH needs to get the midfiled right, I don't think he know his best players in the right positions and more importantly have to play off each other.

Very true. The only thing that is guaranteed is Makoun will always start as he's a GH signing. Petrov, NRC, Delph, Pires and Bradley will have to fight it out for the other position.

[Dante Lavelli]

I think we only really have room for one of Bradley, petrol or NRC because I think it is of paramount importance that we sign a player intended for the first team. Which of the three stays is not that important to me - they all have different qualities - so it would probably come down to economics for me.

Anyone know how many seasons Petrov has left on his contract?

[Mazrim]

Whatever happens in the future, we'll always have this goal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukq-5HyZ_bM