Stiliyan Petrov makes first Aston Villa appearance in four years

Stiliyan Petrov was given his first run-out as a professional footballer in more than four years as Aston Villa thrashed GAK 1902 in Saturday's friendly match.

The Villans were comfortable 8-0 winners against the Austrian sixth-tier club, but it was the return of Petrov to the team that got fans most excited.

Having recovered from acute leukaemia, with which he was first diagnosed in March 2012 before retiring 14 months later, the Bulgarian midfielder is now on the comeback trail.

Petrov, who returned to training with Villa last week with an eye to being handed a new contract, played the second half of the one-sided contest.

The 37-year-old starred in Sunday league football for Wychall Wanderers during the 2014-15 season, but is now likely to play a further part for the West Midlands outfit on their Austrian tour.