Stiliyan Petrov - update

[Clark W Griswold]

Superb news, hope he's part of the squad next season, not just because of the recovery from illness but also because I think he can have a real impact on the pitch.

[Clampy]

That's fantastic. Just to see him in a pre-season game would be enough in itself.

[KRS]

Excellent news. This is the kind of stuff that films are made of...and I hope Stan is able to write a happy and inspirational ending.

[Ger Regan]

My only concern, and it's a minor one in the grand scheme of things, is that I hope he doesn't get embroiled in any unpleasant atmosphere should things not go well for us on the pitch. That said, when he had to retire originally things were awful anyway, so it's not as if memories of his time with us will be tarnished....

[Lastfootstamper]

Tremendous news, it really is. Fucking good on ya, Stan.

If, IF, he makes it back in with no dewy-eyed sentiment, just purely on merit, for us fans looking for that SGT impact in our hour of adversity, this would be a massive lift.

[Toronto Villa]

I honestly believe that unpleasantness of last season will be forgotten quickly now that the players have had a chance to go away. It's done with now and nothing can be done to reverse what happened. While some players still have to go, the pressures built up last season won't be there anymore. The club has changed ownership in that time, coaches have left, the manager is different. So much will not be what it was at the darkest, most poisonous parts of last year. Not saying all of the dark clouds are gone but they won't be as pronounced this July as they were back in May.

[Russ aka Big Nose]

Whether he plays for a minute or not, they should give him shirt/squad number 19.

Good luck Stan.

[Chris Smith]

This is brilliant news, for him and for Villa.

It should also act as a fantastic inspiration for anyone who receives a diagnosis in the near future or is currently going through treatment.

[chrisw1]

I would love it, just love it if he can play just 5 minutes for us this season. 

If he could make a regular contribution, then even better - but this really needs to be judged on merit not sentiment.

[CT Villan]

Stan's style of captaincy was to always lead by example and if this example doesn't wake up the wasters nothing will.

I wonder if his desire to play for Villa again was motivated by our predicament or his need to prove to himself he could play at the highest levels again after the cancer - probably a bit of both, but either way good luck to him.

[KevinGage]

If his time back only amounts to a few run outs in the reserves, it is success.

Positive influences in and around the club like him and Elphick are the perfect counterbalance to Gabby, Lescott and co.

Your senior players are the ones most young lads look up to. None of our senior players last season set an example worth following.

[avfcdale]

If Stan gets the number 19 shirt I will go and buy one it will be my first new Villa Shirt since 1981, I even waited till the price went down at the end of the season for the european champions shirt.

Come on Stan! Go on Roberto give him, his number back

[Lizz]

I've only been reading the OT EU thread today, went to Twitter because of a link in said thread and read about this. Well done Stan having recovered your energy levels.

[SoccerHQ]

It's a lovely story...I just don't think it's realistic to see him play in a proper game again.

He's been away for 4 years and is 37 in two weeks so I'd be highly surprised if we re-sign him as a player.

No issue at all with getting him properly involved in the coaching staff though.

[fbriai]

Go on, Stan! Great news.