Villa's Petrov: I'm lucky to be alive

Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov says he is lucky to be alive after completing his first year of treatment for leukaemia. The 33-year-old Bulgaria international was diagnosed with the illness in March last year, forcing him to abruptly suspend his playing career. "I've had my hard moments but I've had good moments as well. I'm lucky because some people with this disease will die very quickly," he said in a video published on the club website on Wednesday. "I'm glad that this hard year is behind me now and I can concentrate on getting back to my life." Petrov, who has made over 200 appearances for Villa since joining from Celtic in 2006, is now in remission following an intensive chemotherapy programme. He said he would follow a "softer" treatment programme for the next two years. Villa's fans have shown their support for Petrov by applauding throughout the 19th minute of each of their team's matches, in a reference to the Bulgarian's squad number. "The support from all the fans, the club, the players, has been amazing," he said. "The 19th minute has been just incredible. It's them showing their appreciation and their support. "I don't know how I can thank the fans because it's been incredible. Sometimes I joke with friends when they text me saying, 'You've still got that applause in the 19th minute - when are they going to stop?'" Petrov also announced plans to launch his own leukaemia foundation. Source: AFP