Stiliyan Petrov misses out on playing contract with Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo has said that he has decided against offering Stiliyan Petrov a new playing contract.

Earlier this summer, Petrov announced that he would attempt to regain a place in the first-team squad - four years after being diagnosed with leukaemia - but the club have said that the Bulgarian will only be offered a different role at the Championship outfit.

Di Matteo told the club's official website: "Stiliyan is an inspiration to all of us.

"I have spoken to him and explained my thoughts and offered him the chance to remain at the club. Stiliyan is going to discuss this with his family before coming back to us."

The 37-year-old had previously featured in the club's pre-season friendlies earlier this month.