Aston Villa young guns desperate for Stiliyan Petrov return

Dec 21 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

THE imminent return from injury of Villa’s experienced leader Stiliyan Petrov is being eagerly anticipated by the club’s emerging young guns.

Petrov is expected to make his claret and blue comeback early in the New Year after a two-month lay-off with a serious knee problem.

Villa have missed the club captain’s calming presence since he hobbled off at Sunderland in mid-October – particularly the youngsters.

And Marc Albrighton admits it will be a major boost to have Petrov available with the skipper targeting a mid-January comeback against Blues.

The Bulgarian midfielder returned to light training earlier this month and is set to join in with the full-contact drills during the next fortnight.

“Stiliyan’s return to training is massive,” said Albrighton.

“We’ve had a lot of injury problems but with the likes of Stiliyan, Nigel Reo-Coker, Fabian Delph and Steve Sidwell coming back, it’s fantastic news for the club.

“It’s brilliant. Everything is looking up. We want to continue getting results now after that Baggies win and climb the table.”

Albrighton is one of the claret and blue whippersnappers Petrov has taken under his wing along with midfielders Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark and Jonathan Hogg.

And the wing wonder admits the captain is an inspirational figure in the dressing room as well as an ideal role model for young players.

“Stiliyan brings a leadership to things,” said Albrighton.