Stiliyan Petrov is an experienced Aston Villa midfielder. Starting his career with CSKA Sofia and Celtic, he moved to Villa in August 2006, to be reunited with his former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill.
Stiliyan took time to settle in at Villa Park, although his goal against Derby County in April 2008 won the club's Goal of the Season award. Scored from the halfway line, this goal is reckoned to have been from the longest distance of any netted by a Villa player. He then became a firm favourite in the 2008-09 season, when he won the Villa Player of the Year award. Stiliyan was named team captain at the beginning of this season and has flourished in this role.
Originally an attacking midfielder who scored regularly, Stiliyan is now playing deeper in central midfield, where his positional awareness and passing ability have made him an integral part of Villa's first team. He has made approaching 400 senior club appearances and won 91 caps for Bulgaria, several of them as captain.
