Stiliyan Petrov is stood down by Martin O'Neill

Feb 26 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

STILIYAN Petrov has been withdrawn from "the firing line" by Martin O'Neill in an effort to boost the Bulgarian's shattered confidence.

Petrov did not even make the Villa bench at Reading after being substituted at half-time in the previous game against Newcastle.

The £6.5million signing from Celtic had broken back into the team on New Year's Day against Tottenham, starting seven straight matches, but his form was simply not good enough.

Villa looked a far brighter side with Shaun Maloney and Ashley Young on the flanks at the Madejski Stadium, but O'Neill has far from given up on the 28-year-old.

He explained: "I've decided to take Stiliyan out of the firing line to get his confidence back.

"All too fleetingly he's shown the really great form and, to be fair, we've played him out of position because he can go and play off the centre-forward.

"At the moment, he's not involved, but he's got a great determination about him. I know him very well and he's very strong mentally.

"He knows himself he's capable of so much more when his confidence is high."

Petrov has not scored in 24 appearances this season, with only two goals in 58 games since moving south of the border.

O'Neill, though, expects him to soon justify his fee.

"His confidence is a bit low at the moment, but he'll bounce back, I've got no doubts about it,'' he said.

"I've seen him in games where he might lay it off, whereas before he's thrust forward with the ball. Those things will come back.

"How long will he be out? "He's part of the squad and people are fighting for positions, and even though our squad isn't that big, it's great news (to be able to rest him)," he said.