Stiliyan Petrov has come out in support of Nicky Shorey

May 15 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

Petrov was visibly incensed by Villa’s limp defeat at Fulham and was seen furiously trying to gee up his below par colleagues during the game.

And the club’s recently-crowned double player-of-the-season award winner even ranks the match below the 5-0 thrashing at Liverpool.

“What we showed against Fulham wasn’t good enough and it was probably our worst performance all season,” added Petrov. “It was embarrassing.

“We’ve got players that can score goals but in the last 25 minutes we couldn’t even threaten the Fulham defence and make them work.

“We conceded three bad goals and it was disappointing. But that’s why it’s good when the games in this league come so quick because you just need to let that go and try to get it right in the next one.

“Tomorrow will be a game when we try to put things right and start winning again.

“Middlesbrough are fighting for their life and in a position where they can’t afford to lose anymore and I’m expecting a good game.

“We need to win our last two games to make sure we’re going to finish fifth.”