Stiliyan Petrov is delighted to see Stewart Downing back for Aston Villa

Nov 26 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail

STILIYAN Petrov has admitted no-one is happier than him to see Stewart Downing finally back playing again.

It was the Aston Villa skipper whose innocuous challenge left Downing facing six months on the sidelines with a broken foot in May.

The two players were on opposing sides when Petrov’s challenge on the winger, then with Middlesbrough, resulted in the injury which required surgery and a metal pin inserted in his foot.

Downing has since made the £12 million move from Teesside to Villa Park and Petrov is thrilled he is not only back on his feet again but also causing a potential selection headache for manager Martin O’Neill.

Petrov said: “I am so happy to see Stewart fit again. He is raring to go and worked really hard to get fit. I think he is going to add something very special to our team.”

He added: “We are looking forward to seeing him in action again and I am delighted that he is fit again.”

Petrov has never talked about the incident in last season’s 1-1 draw at the Riverside before but said: “I had a conversation with him straight after the injury to check on him and I am delighted he is back now and could play a part against Spurs this weekend.”

There has been much banter in the Villa dressing room between the pair in recent weeks over the incident with Downing joking recently that he hasn’t let his new captain forget it.

Petrov said: “This boy loves to play football and when you see someone who loves it unable to play because of injury – and an injury that I was involved in – then that is not very pleasant to see.

“But he has worked really hard at getting back. He has put his mind to it and is raring to go again.”