O’Neill glad Shorey follows Petrov’s lead

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill believes defender Nicky Shorey has taken inspiration from midfielder Stiliyan Petrov in battling back to regain his first-team spot.

Petrov became O’Neill’s first major signing in a £6 million switch from Celtic in the summer of 2006 but struggled initially to make an impact at Villa Park.

The Bulgarian was even axed from the starting line-up for a spell, but won over the doubters and is tipped him as a contender for the club’s player of the year award.