Stiliyan Petrov - update

[curiousorange]

No surprise, but still gutting. Cheers Stan, keep on keeping on.

[David_Nab]

Felt quite emotional reading that statement.

All the best for the future Stan

[Concrete John]

It was pretty much inevitable.  Was his present contract up this summer?

I hope and expect the club to continue supporting him though.  He'd be great in some sort of ambassadorial role.

[Tom_Mc9?]

Good luck to him. A good player and a gentleman in a sport that doesn't have too many of them.

[Simon Ward]

Dignified statement from a dignified man. I'm sure AVFC will do right by him!

[AV82EC]

I seem to have some grit in my eye after reading that.

[Fin Feds Dad]

Would absolutely love him to lead the team out for one last time on Saturday - if he is well enough .

It would be superb - for us and him.

[Fin Feds Dad]

Matt Kendrick just tweeted Stan will lead the players and families out - AFTER the game.

[Ozzjim]

Matt Kendrick just tweeted Stan will lead the players and families out - AFTER the game.

That will be special, wish I was there for it.

Great man, very good player and excellent captain, always befitting of our great club. I hope his endeavors are fruitful now, and he lives a long, happy and enjoyable life from here. Good luck Stan.

[richardhubbard]

Class statement from a  class man , good luck stan and thanks for 7 years at Aston Villa, enjoy rest of your life and hopefully is you want a role within the club over coming years.

[PaulWinch again]

Good luck Stan, always welcome at Villa. I really hope you recover and lead a happy life with your wife and kids.

[not3bad]

Best of luck to Stan and I hope his association with Aston Villa continues with some role.  Saturday will be quite a moment.

[Damo70]

Good timing of an unfortunately inevitable statement. We can now pay him the tribute he deserves on Saturday. I am pleased he has a cause he can focus on and am sure that the club and fans will support him with that.

[Nev]

One of the things I hold dearest about Aston Villa is the way we conduct ourselves. I think it's actually more important than winning games and trophies.

Having players such as Stan at the club only reaffirms this faith.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

I would like to see him lead the team out before the game as well as after.