Gabriel Agbonlahor takes Villa captaincy

Gabriel Agbonlahor has been named as Aston Villa's captain after Stiliyan Petrov was diagnosed with acute leukaemia. Petrov's condition was diagnosed following tests after the Bulgaria international developed a fever following last month's defeat by Arsenal. The former Celtic man has begun treatment on his condition at a London specialist hospital and he will miss the rest of the season. Villa have now turned to Agbonlahor to lead the side in the absence of Petrov for their final seven Premier League games of the season. Agbonlahor, who has come through the ranks at Villa, is the club's longest-serving player and he will take the armband for the first time for this weekend's trip to Liverpool.