Source: SKY_Sports
Petrov refuses to lose focus
Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov is refusing to allow personal praise to distract from the season-long target of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.[LNB] Petrov has been a key player in Villa's emergence as contenders to break the top-four monopoly of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, and boss Martin O'Neill recently offered a lavish assessment of the Bulgaria international.[LNB]However, O'Neill's side have lost form at a key moment of the campaign as they struggle in their battle for fourth place in the Premier League - and the resulting opportunity to play in the Champions League - with Arsenal.[LNB]And the Petrov is not set to rest on his laurels as Villa - who will hope to end a nine-game winless run in all competitions when hosting European hopefuls Everton on Sunday - attempt to finish as high as possible.[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," he said.[LNB]Achieve"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]Petrov was axed from the Villa team by O'Neill at the end of last season after a 2006 move from Celtic, but he insists that he never lost faith in his ability.[LNB]He added: "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]Individual"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]"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]
