I’m lucky to be alive: Villa captain Petrov reveals he is on the road to recovery in leukaemia battle

By Neil Moxley

Published: 08:47 EDT, 17 April 2013 | Updated: 16:26 EDT, 17 April 2013

Stiliyan Petrov has admitted he is lucky to be alive after speaking for the first time about his battle with leukaemia.

In an emotional address at Aston Villa’s training ground, the former Bulgaria skipper said he realised how fortunate he was after learning more about the disease.

The Villa captain, 33, is now in remission from the cancer following 13 months’ treatment. He has come through chemotherapy and now has to take tablets for the next two years.

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On the road back to full health: Stiliyan Petrov says he is lucky to be alive after his battle with leukaemia

After being told of his condition when routine blood tests flagged up a problem, Petrov worked overtime to get himself in peak condition. And it seems as though his industry has paid off, although he did not hide his relief at having come through a difficult 12 months.

‘I have finished all of the high-intensity treatment,’ he said. ‘From now on I’ll be on the softer one. It’s been a very, very long year. I had my hard moments but I had good moments as well.

‘I can say I’m lucky because some people with this disease will die very quickly and I managed to keep battling and still be here, still standing. It’s really good, that’s a great thing.

‘And now, after all of this, I can go back to a normal life. I can start doing things that I couldn’t do in the last year.’

Petrov played his last game for the club in a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in March 2012. He complained of feeling lethargic afterwards and was given the diagnosis a few weeks later after tests.

Happy Birthday: Stiliyan Petrov has revealed he is on the road to recovery following his battle with leukaemia

Salute: Petrov acknowledges the Villa Park crowd, who show their support by applauding their No 19 throughout the 19th minute of home games

 VIDEO  See Villa's Stiliyan Petrov talking about his road to recovery 

As he had the acute form of the illness, medics wanted to begin treatment immediately, his chances of survival rated at 50-50. But he has been in remission since the start of the season.

‘At the start I thought it was just a cold, nothing serious — just something normal,’ he said. ‘When I was told what exactly the diagnosis was I was a little bit shocked but I accepted it and just wanted to start the treatment straight away. My doctor, Richard Lovell, told me quickly that I had to start treatment. I knew I couldn’t waste time and I had to make decisions quickly.

‘I didn’t know anything about the disease when it happened. I didn’t know anything about the treatment, how long it would go on for, what would happen.

‘I thought it was dragging on. I kept thinking, “When is this going to finish?” but with a lot of support and patience from friends and family, I managed to pull through.’

Petrov said he had been humbled by the reaction from supporters, not just from Villa and his former club Celtic, but across Britain.

Touching: Young Villa fans hold up a message in support of their captain

In action: Villa skipper Petrov playing last season before the diagnosis ruled him out of contention

Villa owner Randy Lerner has visited Petrov on several occasions and chief executive Paul Faulkner also showed the human face of the club by constantly travelling to and from London in the early stages to provide his support.

The fans’ backing has manifested itself in a minute’s applause in the 19th minute — Petrov wore the No 19 shirt — a gesture that has received almost universal backing.

‘It’s really funny how something like this can unite people,’ he said. ‘It’s a strange feeling but people from all sides have been united and even teams who come to Villa Park, their fans have joined in the minute’s applause as well.

‘It’s great to see something like that. I hope everyone can appreciate how important it is that if something were to go wrong for a player or a fan that they can give them support the way they’ve supported me.

‘I don’t know how I can thank the fans. Some people go through these diseases on their own while I have had the support of millions around the world.’

Thoughts: Tributes to Petrov were displayed by teams around the Premier League

Back on track: Petrov was watching Villa's 1-1 draw against Fulham, with Charles N'Zogbia's opener (above)

Petrov hopes to start his own foundation in due course. Lerner has instructed the midfielder to make sure he is recovered properly before any future position at the club is discussed. Such is the player’s popularity that an honorary position is likely to be a formality.

‘I’m going to live my life,’ Petrov added. ‘Sometimes people feel sorry for you. I’m  just going to keep going and try to start picking up some work now and then.

First of all I’m going to spend some time with my family, show them that things are back to normal and feel a bit more  comfortable. The kids especially have really missed me a lot and they’re happy that I’m home. But most of all I want to get my life back.’