Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has revealed the prospect of wearing the captain’s armband again will fuel his fight to get fit for the start of the season.

The Bulgaria international dislocated his shoulder, after falling awkwardly in Wednesday’s win over Atlante and has flew home to undergo scans.

He is now a major doubt to be fit for the campaign curtain-raiser at home to Wigan on August 15, but remains the favourite to succeed Martin Laursen as skipper after performing the role in both of Villa’s Peace Cup games.

Petrov admits the possibility of captaining Villa on a permanent basis will be a huge incentive for him on the recovery trail.

He said: “We will have to see what the damage is. I landed awkwardly on my shoulder and it’s just come out.

“It’s especially frustrating as it’s pre-season, but that’s the way it goes. We’re hoping it’s not going to be that serious and that it will only be a couple of weeks before I can start training again.

“Being the skipper is great. It’s an honour.  Everybody loves to be a captain and to lead the team but we’ll see who the manager picks. It definitely gives you more motivation if you are the captain.”

Petrov joins Luke Young, Stewart Downing and Freddie Bouma on the injured list.