Filed under: Aston Villa, Premier League, Football
Having been made captain and a mainstay of the Aston Villa midfield by Martin O'Neill, Stilyan Petrov is not accustomed to making do with watching from the sidelines.Yet that is exactly what the Bulgaria international, who recently earned his 100th international cap, has had to contend with under Gerard Houllier of late. And it's safe to say he hasn't liked it one bit.
Sunday's win over Newcastle was the first game the former Celtic ace had started for two months with January arrival Jean Makoun previously preferred alongside Nigel Reo-Coker in the claret and blue engine room.
Petrov did not disappoint. He was one of Villa's best performers in a crucial victory which moved Houllier's side up to 14th, giving them and the under-fire Frenchman some breathing space.
Understandably, the 31-year-old felt he had something to prove - and that he has done.
"It is difficult when you are not playing, not just because I'm the club captain, but because I love playing," said Petrov.
"It's been a frustrating time and it's not been happening for me. But you just have to deal with it and try to get back in the team.
"It is down to the manager to decide. He makes the decisions and we just need to stick with them. I can only prove him wrong with my game. I feel I have done that. I hope I can keep going now."
His passing range far exceeds what Makoun or Reo-Coker can provide and he also offers more poise in possession than either of his rivals for the jersey.
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