Petrov’s low-key exit a sign of the new Villa


Petrov’s low-key exit a sign of the new Villa

In the run-up to Aston Villa’s last home game of the season against Chelsea, the main focus rested on Stiliyan Petrov’s retirement from the game following his battle to beat acute leukaemia. The official Villa site went Petrov crazy, digging out archive footage, knocking together lists of Tweets from the great and good (and David Cameron) and promising a News and Record to buy at the game that would tell you more about the man than he knew himself.

Fan forums also debated the topic, including the desire that Paul Lambert would name him on the bench and let him have his last moments of play in front of an emotional Holte End. Nicely saccharine as that would have been, it was never going to happen. Petrov has privately fought and bettered the disease, and aside from a few interviews and quiet appearances at home matches over the past fourteen months, he has been a figurehead for optimism rather than a persistent reminder of past times.

The news on Saturday lunchtime that he would not lead the teams onto the pitch, preferring to be part of the lap of appreciation at the end of the game, was the correct decision. There would have been a feeling that Villa were playing “for Stan” rather than for Premier League safety, and at no time have the team offered their performance as a tribute to the stricken club captain. In the end, the farewell was perfectly judged, with a packed out Villa Park staying on to applaud and cheer Petrov on his way. It was an emotional exit, but not histrionic, and one suspects Stiliyan Petrov himself was as relieved as he was delighted to have such a fitting send-off.

But the curious thing about the denouement of the Chelsea defeat was the palpable feeling of optimism that Villa Park radiated towards the squad as they enjoyed a rare moment in the sun. The reception given to manager Paul Lambert in particular was an overwhelming show of support. It has been years since a manager guiding an Aston Villa side to a lower half finish has been treated to such acclaim. As he stood in the centre circle, the bellowed chorus of ‘One Paul Lambert’ rang around the ground, reminiscent of reaching a Final rather than losing in the final minutes.

Since the confirmation of Wigan’s relegation, the dreams of the close season have begun to circulate amongst Villa fans, and it’s noticeable that most of the players people feel the squad need to progress are not big names. In January of this year, a significant number were dismayed to see such minimal and unheralded activity. However, the introduction of Yacouba Sylla and the rebirth of Fabian Delph has proved the revelation of the second half of the season, protecting the back four and giving more creative players like Ashley Westwood and Matt Lowton freedom to start the lightning raids of our front three. Significantly, the bulk of Christian Benteke’s goals have come after this ‘disappointing’ January.

Aston Villa fans have noted for months what the national media are waking up to: Paul Lambert wants to bring in players right for a team, rather than forming a team around key players. The danger with the latter is that if those players lose form, so does the side. But I think the reason is less to do with football and more to do with attitude; Lambert’s Aston Villa want to play for one another, and individuals are not welcome. Stephen Ireland is perhaps the most obvious casualty of this policy, and no Villa fans will mourn his departure.

The summer for Aston Villa is important, no question. An energetic, young side lost discipline and fight against Chelsea, and there are still weak areas. They still don’t have a matchwinning option from the bench, and at least three-quarters of the defence should be expecting an alternative option to arrive. But whoever comes in, it won’t be an influx of journeymen and headline-grabbers. Lambert’s approach doesn’t allow for wasted talent, and as we said goodbye to one of our own, Villa Park also anticipated the arrival of the next claret and blue legend.

Chris Stanley


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