Message to Aston Villa supporters: Former club captain Stiliyan Petrov says that he doesn’t want Villa fans to continue with the 19th minute tribute to him at Villa Park:

“Fans have asked me about it and I want to make clear that it was a great thing from the Villa fans, an unbelievable gesture which meant so much to me and my family through some of the toughest periods we had to endure.

“The fans have shown me so much love, support and respect and I will hold this forever in my heart.

“But we all have to move on and I have no problem with this. In fact, I know they will always be beside me, they’re with me and I’m in their thoughts. That’s a precious and very humbling thing.

‘When I went through the toughest times they stood beside me and I’ll never forget this.

‘I know the fans will support the team this season in the same way they supported me because they showed how united they are and, as a club, we are looking forward together to the kind of exciting season it promises to be.’

In March 2012, Petrov was diagnosed with acute leukaemia and he took a break from the sport to undergo his treatment. The Bulgarian announced his retirement from his playing career in May, 2013.

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