Aston Villa's Stiliyan Petrov Retires From Football: The Daily EPL

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov announced his retirement from football today following his battle against acute leukaemia. Petrov was diagnosed with the condition last year, but is currently in remission.

Here’s what Petrov said today in a statement:

“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from the game… The emotions are overwhelming really, but the continued support of family, friends and the great people I have come to know will make it easier for me to move on from the only life I’ve ever known.

“That I am ready to embrace new challenges will make this process much easier. Since being diagnosed with acute leukaemia in March 2012, I have come to understand and appreciate the way in which this disease impacts the lives of so many people.

“I can help and I want to help and, in setting up a foundation to help address the issues involved when people are diagnosed with this illness, I hope to make a difference. This will be my new challenge, one I will face with all the enthusiasm, energy and drive with which I have faced every single challenge.”

“I am moving on and I am excited by this. There is a deep joy in my heart because of what you have shared with me, not only in this past year but over the years I have been in football. I felt privileged. I still do. I always will.”

Petrov will lead Aston Villa in a lap of appreciation at Villa Park after the Chelsea game on Saturday. Best of luck to Petrov after a very distinguished career in football.

Here are today’s Premier League news headlines:

• Aston Villa’s Stiliyan Petrov retires from football — The Telegraph
• Petrov to lead the lap of appreciation after Chelsea game — Aston Villa FC
• Jose Mourinho returning to Chelsea would be great for club, says Lampard — Evening Standard
• Arsenal will become the first Premier League team to play in Vietnam — Sky Sports
• Ferguson back on the United training ground after announcing retirement plans — The Independent
• Wayne Rooney could still be persuaded to stay at Manchester United — BBC Sport
• Wayne Rooney deletes ‘Manchester United player’ from Twitter bio — The Telegraph
• Roberto Martinez dismisses Everton speculation to focus on Wigan — The Independent
• Manchester United must avoid Liverpool-like decline — Soccerlens
• Luis Suarez escapes punishment for ‘punching’ opponent in World Cup qualifier — The Independent
• Roberto Martinez ‘could do better than Everton job’ says Whelan — Evening Standard
• Mark Hughes in the running to replace David Moyes at Everton — The Independent
• Sir Alex Ferguson to start work on second book after announcing Old Trafford exit — The Mail
• Garry Monk: Cardiff City chants will give Swansea City motivation — This Is South Wales
• Wigan FA Cup mascot is four-year-old suffering from rare genetic disorder — The Mail
• David Cameron pays tribute to Alex Ferguson in the Commons – video — The Guardian
• Michel Vorm in race to be fit for Old Trafford — This Is South Wales
• Premier League clubs beginning to ban journalists — The Guardian

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