Former Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov set for charity match
Stiliyan Petrov will lace up his boots again for a charity game to raise money for his foundation.
The former claret and blues midfielder will play in a Petrov XI with Alan Wright and Julian Joachim against a Lions and Legends side on March 9 at Boldmere FC.
Steve Staunton is due to captain the Lions which will also include Gordon Cowans and Nigel Spink.
It will be to raise money for the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation which is designed to help leukaemia suffers and their families.
Petrov officially retired last year after battling acute leukaemia and is focusing on charity work as he takes a break from Villa after initially returning to help coach the under-21s.
He was assistant to Cowans but admitted he needed to take a step back after conceding it was "too much too soon" in August last year.
Villa are keen to ensure Petrov remains a part of the club though and he remains close to boss Paul Lambert after playing with him at Celtic.
The 34-year-old is in remission and remains a Villa hero with fans holding a 19th minute applause in his honour in every game for over a year after his diagnosis in March 2012.
Stephen Rigby, who has helped organised the game, believes Petrov's personality made him a Villa favourite.
"Stiliyan was highly regarded and wore his heart on his sleeve – you could see that on the pitch. He's inspirational after what he's gone through," he said.
"I've seen both sides of him after getting to know him and he's just a genuinely nice guy to speak to and deal with.
"We're trying to do regular things for different people and raise money for their causes."
UHY Accountants Birmingham, Goals Perry Barr, Pheasey Lions Supporters Club, Flower Infusion, Stones Throw Media, and European Steel Sheets ltd are backing the event.
Kick-off is 2pm, tickets are £4 for adults and £1 for children and are available at the Beggars Bush pub on Chester Road, Vivid Ink in Sutton Coldfield or from Stephen Rigby on 07791743767 and stephen@srelectricalprojects.co.uk
The Lions and Legends team is subject to change and availability.
