McLeish: Petrov determined to meet illness head on

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish last night revealed skipper Stiliyan Petrov was in “amazing spirits” on his first day of treatment after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.

Villa owner Randy Lerner, chief executive Paul Faulkner and McLeish visited Petrov in the London hospital where he will be undergoing treatment after news of his condition was announced on Friday.