There's more to come from me, says Stiliyan Petrov

Apr 8 2008 By Bill Howell

STILIYAN Petrov has promised to deliver much more of his undoubted quality to Aston Villa's cause as he admitted he has fallen short of expectations.

The Bulgarian international has struggled for so much of the two seasons since his £6.5million move from Celtic.

But he is able today to bask in the glory of a fine performance against Bolton in which he was given a standing ovation as he left the field.

It was a far cry from his last Villa Park outing when he was substituted at half-time against Newcastle, fully two months ago.

"I know I haven't been performing the way everybody expects me to do, but I'm the first to criticise myself," he said.

Petrov has thanked the supporters for standing by him.

"The reaction from the fans when I came off was great", Petrov said. "The fans were terrific. I know what I can do and they will see that more and more.

"I get frustrated as well, but I've been working hard. I try to give my team-mates competition every day in training and it's going well at the moment.

"Hopefully I will keep my place for the trip to Derby."

Villa head to rock-bottom and relegated Derby County on Saturday with the Rams still having won just once all season having scored ten home league goals in 16 matches.

But Petrov is wary, knowing that the pressure will all be on Villa.

"It will be a hard game", he said. "I think all the pressure is on us. They've got nothing to fight for and are already relegated, so it's up to us to play the right way.

"Derby haven't won a game for a while and I hope they won't end that run against us.

"We have to make sure that doesn't happen and we have to put in a lot of hard work again."