Stiliyan Petrov - update

[SoccerHQ]

That was a top midfield we had with him, Barry, Milner and Ash. Every bit as good as anything Leicester had last season that walked away with the title. Throw in who we had at the back and up front and certainly with Brad Sr I'd have loved to have that side compete in the PL last year. Stan is such a smart individual and not only that he brings a calmness to the side. You can trust him as players and fans. It was such a sad event for him to be taken ill and will be a magnificent story should he play again.

Like us around that time it was pretty good but not quite good enough to win the top honours.

Barry and Petrov were a very cultured middle two, two very good footballers and they weren't half good at getting the ball wide quickly to Young so he could be 1 v 1 against the full back.

The problem was MON's favoured formation always being 4-4-2 and the two wide men had to stick wide so against dynamic three man midfields Petrov and Barry were a bit one paced.

Frustration has to be maybe not signing someone like Downing a year earlier so Milner could've been moved to CM while Barry was still at the club (if of course Milner would've still been signed himself) as his energy and mobility alongside Petrov and Barry would've been ideal.

Annoying as our best runs under MON always seemed to come when playing 4-5-1. We certainly got more wins against the better teams in this league playing that system.

[RussellC]

In fairness, Downing was signed nearly a year earlier - he was just on crutches!

[OCD]

In fairness, Downing was signed nearly a year earlier - he was just on crutches!

Ironically because of a Petrov tackle.

[KevinGage]

Sergio Ramos has always been my favourite bearded Spanish centre half:

Sergio Ramos ‏@SergioRamos  Jul 11
Sergio Ramos Retweeted Aston Villa FC
Sport is about overcoming challenges. @StanPetrov19 is a true sportsman and a fighter./ Un luchador. Enhorabuena!

[OCD]

I saw an article earlier on another thread about how Ayew is being given the 10 shirt to free up the 19 shirt that Petrov has previously worn. Sounds highly suggestive that Petrov is definitely going to be getting a playing contract.

[chrisw1]

Seems like he's doing OK.  I suspect there's a very long way to go.

https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2016/07/13/di-matteo-assesses-petrov

[A Northern Soul]

We have confirmed we won't be offering him a playing contract but instead another role at the club

[Toronto Villa]

Sadly no deal for Stan. Hopefully he will be retained by he club in some capacity. He's worked so hard so it's a shame.

[PaulWinch again]

That's sad. I hope he gets the chance to do what he wants to do be it at Villa or somewhere else.

[cheltenhamlion]

Right decision if he isn't up to it. Get him in the coaching team immediately.

[supertom]

I'm a bit gutted but realistically this was probably going to be the case. He may have been able to get to the required condition but I think perhaps apart from anything else, the current size of our squad means it was always going to be unlikely.

I would absolutely love to see Stan playing professionally again. I hope he considers it and keeps up his work in training. If he's lucky he'll be able to play L1 or 2. If playing is still very much in his mind, forget about us for a while. Go out and play somewhere, as long as it's a level that will challenge him enough to satisfy him. When he's done that for a year or two, then we welcome him back as a coach or whatever role we may have for him. There's no rush. Playing time is short for Stan at this juncture. If he can possibly play, he should play. And if the fates allow he can come and play for Wycombe Wanderers, then I can go see him playing.

[Toronto Villa]

There's a massive liability issue so the club need to make a rational decision. It wouldn't have been easy at all to make that call, and I'm gutted for Stan. But this needs to be sensible.

[AV89]

A real shame for Stan given how hard he's worked.  I just hope now the club dont get slated by the more ignorant sections of the media for not offering him a deal.  Has to be right for both parties.

[VILLA MOLE]

just amazing he tried

[Virgil Caine]

With a nod of appreciation to PWS how about, whatever he decides to do, a round of applause on the 19th minute at the first home game of the season? If nothing else it will again focus attention for Stan's foundation.