Stiliyan Petrov pays tribute to Aston Villa fans

Stiliyan Petrov has used his final programme notes to thank the fans of Aston Villa for their support during his suffering of acute leukaemia.

The Bulgarian, 33, announced his retirement on Thursday, a little over a year after he stopped playing because of the diagnosis.

In his closing comments in today's matchday programme for the final home game of the season against Chelsea, Petrov thanked the fans for their support, specifically the minute's applause he receives every game after 19 minutes (his shirt number).

"Aston Villa will always remain in my heart," he wrote. "I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given here and, to the fans, I am so grateful for the way you have supported me over the years, especially during the past 14 months or so when you have stood with me and everything I have gone through, during the 19th minute.

"This has touched me profoundly. To have been part of this for seven years was enough to know that I have been part of something unique and special. Up the Villa!"

Villa manager Paul Lambert has said that Petrov could take up a coaching role in the future.