Petrov tells players: I will win this battle

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov told his team-mates he will win his battle against acute leukaemia in an emotional address before Saturday’s Premier League clash at home to Chelsea.

Petrov begins treatment in a London hospital today after being diagnosed with the illness last Friday.

But it did not stop the Bulgaria international, nicknamed Stan, from attending the encounter with the Blues.

He received a standing ovation from both sets of fans during the 19th minute to mark the number 19 shirt he has worn during his six years at Villa Park.

Villa boss Alex McLeish said: “The support Stan has had is a measure of how popular the guy is, not only here but at Celtic and the Bulgarian nation will be rooting for him.

“Stan is a determined guy and has said he will fight it and beat it. He told the lads that before the game in the dressing room. It was typical of him.

“He is a leader, and he says he will battle through it, and those are the kind of words we would expect to hear from Stiliyan.”