Premier League Star Diagnosed With Cancer Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia, the club have said. The condition was diagnosed following tests after the Bulgaria international, 32, developed a fever following last Saturday's defeat to Arsenal. A statement from the club said: "We expect to learn more about Stiliyan's situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family. "During this time we ask that Stiliyan's privacy is placed ahead of all enquiries and trust that we will share information as we receive it. "Stiliyan is cherished by many and he will get from Villa every ounce of love and support that we have to help bring this to a positive conclusion." Petrov's former Celtic team-mate and current Hoops manager Neil Lennon revealed his "absolute devastation" at the news. Petrov spent seven years and won four Scottish Premier League titles at the Glasgow giants. Lennon tweeted: "Absolutely inconsolable here regarding Stiliyan. He will overcome this like all the other barriers he faced in his life." Petrov - affectionately known as 'Stan' - was signed for Celtic by John Barnes. He was handed the Villa captaincy by former manager Martin O'Neill , under whom he had previously excelled at Celtic. The Bulgaria skipper established himself as a key figure under O'Neill and his successors Gerard Houllier and current boss McLeish. In 2008-09 Petrov was named players' player and supporters' player of the season at Villa Park. He remains a firm favourite in his native Bulgaria, for whom he has won over 100 senior caps since making his debut 14 years ago. There was more reaction on Twitter. Jermaine Jenas, a former team-mate of Petrov's at Villa, said: "Just saw the news about Stan Petrov one of the nicest guys in football! Thoughts with him and his lovely family." Two hours before the club announced the news, McLeish had addressed the media in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's clash with Chelsea. "He (Petrov) is out, he's not available for this game. So I've left it in the hands of the doctor," said the Scot.
Shocking news this, just saw it on the Fabrice Muamba thread, hopefully Petrov can fight this and pull through, best wishes to him.
Here's hoping he can get into remission , could be a case of having to have a bone marrow transplant and then hoping it takes .. It's a bastard of a cancer to fight BUT he has a chance . Fingers crossed ...
