Stiliyan Petrov is set to sign a new Aston Villa contract

Apr 1 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

STILIYAN Petrov has given his strongest hint yet that he is poised to agree a new contract with Villa.

Petrov confirmed his agent held a meeting with manager Martin O’Neill before the defeat to Liverpool.

And the player-of-the-season contender is optimistic about signing an extended deal in the near future.

“They met the other week and things are in progress, so we’ll see what happens,” said Petrov.

“I’ve always been optimistic. Don’t forget I’ve still got another year to go and a lot of things can happen.

“I’ll be happy to sign it, but you never know, that’s football.”

At 29, Petrov admits that the decision whether to commit himself to a new contract at Villa is one of the most important of his career.

But the Bulgaria international captain insists that even if he agrees a new four-year deal he intends to carry on playing into his mid-30s.

“It’s up to the club to decide how they want to move forward,” said Petrov.