Stiliyan Petrov - update

[Olof's Beard]

He was pictured next to Gabby the other week and appeared to be back to his old weight, although Gabby is a great foil if you want to appear slimmer. But I can't see this coming off either - he is great to have around but at 37 with four years out of the game, it's a huge ask for him to play again at a high level. If he wants to try, then who is to stop him, but I can't see it ending with first team appearances.

[PeterWithe]

As a figurehead it's great, let's get him around the dressing room next year. As a player, not so sure.

About what? - unless you're on his medical team or the club's coaching staff how can you possibly have an opinion about his potential as a player?!

Why cant I have an opinion on it, if we were discussing signing Micheal Owen I'd have the same doubts given his age and time out of the game, and he hasn't gone through what Stan has.

Its fine to have an opinion, and I apologise if my post seemed overly-opinionated.
What I meant, though, was that it is impossible for anyone outside of his team of experts to adjudge his potential for first class football. He may be extraordinary and come back ... He may not. If he is assessed to be both fit and capable enough, he will add something we've lacked for a while: cool, intelligent and dynamic defensive midfield play; and leadership for the youngsters I hope will be playing next season.

No problem whatsoever, It wasn't a flouncy 'I'm being denied an opinion' more, it's not really a completely unreasonable opinion.

I'd love him to come back and be everything we've been lacking but is that likely?  Again, what would be your opinion if this thread were about signing the similarly aged Owen?

[Mister E]

As a figurehead it's great, let's get him around the dressing room next year. As a player, not so sure.

About what? - unless you're on his medical team or the club's coaching staff how can you possibly have an opinion about his potential as a player?!

Why cant I have an opinion on it, if we were discussing signing Micheal Owen I'd have the same doubts given his age and time out of the game, and he hasn't gone through what Stan has.

Its fine to have an opinion, and I apologise if my post seemed overly-opinionated.
What I meant, though, was that it is impossible for anyone outside of his team of experts to adjudge his potential for first class football. He may be extraordinary and come back ... He may not. If he is assessed to be both fit and capable enough, he will add something we've lacked for a while: cool, intelligent and dynamic defensive midfield play; and leadership for the youngsters I hope will be playing next season.

No problem whatsoever, It wasn't a flouncy 'I'm being denied an opinion' more, it's not really a completely unreasonable opinion.

I'd love him to come back and be everything we've been lacking but is that likely?  Again, what would be your opinion if this thread were about signing the similarly aged Owen?

Its a completely different equation because Petrov is coming back from a life-threatening condition. Owen simply apparently lost his mojo and couldn't get motivated to do the job of a top-class player.
And, we're speculating about a player coming back into the 2nd tier, not the top.

[PeterWithe]

Yes I understand what Stan has been through but I guess we disagree in that I reckon that's a reason to think he'd be even less likely to make it back to pro football at his age than Owen, whom I'd be similarly dubious about playing, whatever the level.

Be great to see him around the place though.

[The Edge]

I for one hope there is NO comeback for Stan ...... I wish to remember him as the player he was and when he didn't perform neither did Villa

I would hate to see the image tarnished by not being able to cut it with us - he is 36 I think so a midfielder at that age would mainly find the going tough

We love Stan and lets keep him as a hero

It was reported on the radio today that he has been training with the U21 squad  and is 9lb off his fully fit weight. The fitness coaches will not even consider him unless they are convinced he is ready. I hope with all my heart he can once again pull on a villa shirt. It would be one of football's greatest ever comeback stories. Good luck Stan. At the very least he is showing this current gutless lot how to "fight like a lion"

[PeterWithe]

Agreed

Could he even play as a non contract player?

[The Edge]

Agreed

Could he even play as a non contract player?

I don't see why not. Pay as you play would do nicely. As with any other player he would be picked only on merit.
With the added bonus of having his considerable experience around the place. It's a  win win for me.

[croatian]

When you think how Stan carried on playing through what would have been a terminal disease, surely knowing something wasn't right, but still giving his all, then you look at the characters we have in our side now, suffering from heart, spinal and stomach problems (Absence of said organs and structures) well, it blows me away.

I suspect like other old gits, I'm losing it with soccer generally, and players in particular. It's not the game I used to love, nor played by people I have any respect for. My interest and enthusiasm is diminishing daily. Then Stan's story takes a twist that rekindles in me some respect for the "industry". (Actually It's just a game, however the money men want to over-blow it).

God knows where Stan's journey is gonna take him. But thanks mate, you've made my week.

There's a screenplay in there.

Mislite mi sa s vas.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

I for one hope there is NO comeback for Stan ...... I wish to remember him as the player he was and when he didn't perform neither did Villa

I would hate to see the image tarnished by not being able to cut it with us - he is 36 I think so a midfielder at that age would mainly find the going tough

We love Stan and lets keep him as a hero

It was reported on the radio today that he has been training with the U21 squad  and is 9lb off his fully fit weight. The fitness coaches will not even consider him unless they are convinced he is ready. I hope with all my heart he can once again pull on a villa shirt. It would be one of football's greatest ever comeback stories. Good luck Stan. At the very least he is showing this current gutless lot how to "fight like a lion"

fitness coaches? i didnt know we had any!

[brian green]

They are the buses to take Gabby and co to McDonald's.

[brian green]

Sorry, I thought that said fatness coaches.

[old man villa fan]

What are the rules on over age players in the U21's. Could he be a player coach?

[sid1964]

his time has come and gone - unfortunately for him

For me he was fairly average for most of his time with us, I seem to remember him getting a fair amount of stick when he played, especially after his bust up (supposedly) with Melberg (but I suppose we all wear rose tinted glasses when we think of certain players)

He ought to enjoy his retirement, and be thankful that he is now back in good health

[auntiesledd]

At last: some good news relating to our buggered club. I just hope Stan gets the opportunity to continue with his career with us in some significant capacity. Fingers crossed.

[Toronto Villa]

In what is quite stunning and wonderful news Stan will be taking part in pre season training as a player when the squad returns next week. And he will travel with the squad to Austria for the training camp. Amazing news.