EXCLUSIVE: Stiliyan Petrov opens up on cancer battle and joy of watching Aston Villa in Champions League

Aston Villa legend Stiliyan Petrov spoke to Mirror Football about what inspired him to fight and beat leukaemia after a devastating diagnosis in 2012 ended his football career

Twelve years ago, Stiliyan Petrov was diagnosed with acute leukaemia, and after 13 months of intense chemotherapy, the Aston Villa legend was one the unfortunate few professional athletes who were denied the chance to bow out on their terms.

Just 32 at the time, Petrov, a talented footballer adored back at home as Bulgaria's all-time appearance maker, as well as at Celtic and later Villa - where he proudly wore the captain's armband - had his world turned upside down, his dreams dashed, and an almighty fight on his hands.

Petrov's last professional appearance was a 3-0 defeat away at Arsenal on March 24, 2012, and it was after that game at the Emirates that the midfielder developed a fever, which tests later confirmed to be acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Over a year of chemotherapy not only took its toll on Petrov - but also his family. His two young children at the time, Stiliyan Jr, and Christian, had to live with their grandparents while their dad battled and later beat the life-threatening disease with his wife Paulina by his side.

It wasn't only the love and support from his family and close friends that helped him win the fight. It was also seeing the strength and courage of others suffering from the same disease during his many hospital visits. He also had the whole football community rooting for him.

"When you see people around the hospital, when I go back to the games, all the letters I've received, it's always encouraging to go and fight and show other ones who fight there, with the right support and the right people, you can overcome the difficult challenges," Petrov told Mirror Football ahead of lacing up his boots to play in Gilberto Silva vs. Roberto Carlos at Strive Aid last Sunday.

"And that was the most important for me. I had the football world, people who have not been in the football world, but been through battles like that, they've supported me a lot."

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"My wife was incredible," he continued. "Having the right person beside you. This is what you're trying to find all your life. To find the right person to sacrifice when things are not going well for you. And to be with you when things are going for you.

"And I've got a great person beside me, which I'm really blessed. I'm still with her. She's still doing my head in. But this is part of the married life.

"We're really happy. We're really close. We've been together for 25 years. We're really a great husband and wife. But also good friends as well."

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Villa stuck by their captain throughout his battle and Petrov remains eternally grateful for the support. Under Unai Emery, the Villans are flying high and competing in the Champions League, bringing a sense of pride Petrov couldn't hide.

"Unai Emery, the two owners, Monchi, the sporting director, they've done an incredible job," Petrov said. "They have managed to select the right players at the right time. Younger, exciting, quick, which are really making Villa stand out.

"Everybody's talking about the way Unai Emery works with the team. His tactical approach, but also how he develops players as well. And I think in the last two years, it's been really enjoyable to watch."

Stiliyan Petrov played in Team Gilberto Silva vs. Team Roberto Carlos at Strive Aid to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention charity the Campaign Against Living Miserably