Stiliyan Petrov says tiredness is no excuse for Aston Villa defeat to Arsenal
Dec 28 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail
ARENAL’S dogged resilience and ability to break teams down was the reason for the 3-0 defeat at the Emirates and not any tiredness among the Villa ranks, said Stiliyan Petrov.
The skipper insisted there could be no excuses for the defeat with players having been rested with an additional day over the Christmas period after yesterday’s game had been moved to suit television schedules.
“I don’t think it’s just us,” he said. “I think it’s the way Arsenal play – they keep the ball, they are very comfortable on it and they don’t give you many chances.
“We just couldn’t do it yesterday but it’s not just us – a lot of teams get tired in the last 15 minutes of a game.”
Petrov admitted with the team’s fitness having been so impressive this season the defeat was a bitter blow.
But even more of a setback is losing Ashley Young to suspension after the winger picked up his fifth booking of the season and a one-match ban.
“It’s a big blow,” said Petrov.
‘‘Ashley is a very important player for us. He’s really disappointed that it’s happened but we just need to deal with it and keep going.
“I don’t know if referees have something against him. It was a free-kick or it wasn’t a free-kick but I didn’t think it was a booking. We just have to get on with it.
“I will be the last person to make a comment on the referee because I think they have enough pressure already.’’
