Petrov thanks supporters in his Leukaemia battle

Petrov thanks Aston Villa and his fans for the overwhelming support he has received Credit: PA

Aston Villa club captain, Stiliyan Petrov, has spoken publicly for the first time since it was confirmed that his acute leukaemia is in remission.

The 33-year-old thanked his fans and the club for the overwhelming messages of support he has received.

Petrov spoke out yesterday, on the day the Villa masseurs Alex Butler and Andy Smith completed their 400 miles ‘Pedal for Petrov’ bike ride.

The pair cycled from Celtic Park to Villa Park in a fund-raising effort to raise £250,000, alongside former England midfielder Geoff Thomas, for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

The Bulgarian International was overwhelmed by the tough challenge the club masseurs took to raise money for a cause so close to his heart.

Petrov is currently undergoing a minor cycle of chemotherapy since finding out last month that his acute leukaemia is now in remission.

To support Alex and Andrew in their ‘Pedal for Petrov’ challenge, please donate via their JustGiving page at:

http://www.justgiving.com/pedalforpetrov or text “STAN91 £3” to 70070**