Source: Team_Talk
Petrov pleased with recent Villa form
The Bulgarian international struggled in his first 18 months with Villa after a £6million move from Celtic in the summer of 2006.[LNB]But he started to come to grips with the Premier League at the tailend of last season and has continued in the same vein during Villa's current push for a Champions League spot.[LNB]Petrov admitted: "It wasn't a good start for me at Villa. People expected more and I didn't produce which was frustrating for me and for them.[LNB]"It was up to me to change people's thinking. I came here as a good player and that was how I wanted people to regard me.[LNB]"But I never stopped believing and now I'm showing what I can really do."[LNB]Petrov added: "It's important for any player never to lose faith. It's up to every individual to keep his place and for a while last season I was out of the team.[LNB]"I was determined it wouldn't stay that way so I just kept working and I waited for my chance. When it came, I knew I had to start proving I could play."[LNB]Villa boss Martin O'Neill has sung the praises of Petrov in recent weeks and the midfielder is a strong contender for the club's player of the year award.[LNB]But Petrov brushes aside such compliments and knows the most important thing is to help reignite Villa's fading hopes of a top-four finish.[LNB]"It's flattering when the manager says nice things about you but, if you take too much notice, you can forget what is needed to be successful.[LNB]"We really want to achieve something for the fans. If we can get into the Champions League, that would be fantastic.[LNB]"I will be happy if we achieve what we aimed for at the start of the season - a top-four place.[LNB]"We know it will be hard for us but we want to move this club forward and it's up to us to do that over the next few games."[LNB][LNB] Aston Villa 11/10, Draw 12/5, Everton 12/5
