Aston Villa's Stiliyan Petrov Beats Leukaemia to Make First Football Appearance in Four Years
"?Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov made his first appearance for the club in more than four years as Roberto Di Matteo's side cruised to an 8-0 victory over GAK 1902.
Petrov made his return from illness, appearing in the second half against their opponents from Austria's sixth tier.
Stiliyan Petrov plays 45 minutes for Aston Villa in their pre-season friendly win vs GAK 1902. ? pic.twitter.com/9ONjrmpI0j
The Bulgarian, capped 105 times for his national side last featured for the Villians in March 2012, before retiring due to his illness.
He was diagnosed with acute leukaemia and retired from the game fourteen months after his diagnosis.
The 37-year-old first showed signs of leukaemia after developing a fever following a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal and was diagnosed a few days later.
He had four months of chemotherapy before it was announced that the disease was in remission. The Bulgarian subsequently set up a foundation to help sufferers.
The midfielder is now attempting to return to the professional game after overcoming his illness and has been training with Villa in pre-season.
During the 2014-15 season, Petrov played Sunday league football for Wychall Wanderers, helping them to win the Over-35's Central Warwickshire Premier Division One Cup.
Petrov was invited to join the Championship side during their pre-season training on a non-contract basis, as he looks to build up his fitness following his long absence.
What a sight! @StanPetrov19 back in the #AVFC shirt. ??? #AVFCinAustria pic.twitter.com/VqT1RRVvi0
In the game itself, Villa were four goals to the good before Petrov's entrance at half time. A brace from Jordan Ayew was added to by goals from Micah Richards and Libor Kozack.
Fielding a completely different eleven in the second half, including Petrov, Di Matteo's side netted on four more occasions through doubles from Joe Bennett and Rudy Gestede.
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