Stiliyan Petrov reveals Aston Villa heart break after being rejected a new contract by the club he loves
Bulgarian trained with the Villa throughout the summer and was hoping to sign a deal to stay with the club
STILIYAN PETROV has revealed his devastation that Aston Villa rejected him this summer and claims he would have played for free.
The former Villa captain trained with the first team throughout pre-season and was hoping to earn a contract ahead of the new campaign.
However new boss Roberto di Matteo told the 37-year-old that he was not needed and could only offer him a role as a coach with the youth team.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Petrov revealed how the manager told him he was making good progress before delivering the crushing news.
He said: "He was telling me how well I was doing, how inspirational I am, and that he was really happy to see it.
"I was told very early. I was free. I sat with Roberto Di Matteo and thanked him for giving me the opportunity.
"We shook hands and I wished him good luck for the season.
"I didn't even want to get paid, I just wanted to finish as a footballer.
"I won't be coming back. Not as a player. That was taken away from me. My heart was taken away from me."
Petrov was forced to retire from the game in May 2013 after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia the year before.
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He is seen as a legend in the eyes of Villa supporters who applauded at every home match on the 19th minute - the number Petrov had on the back of his shirt.
And it wasn't only Villa fans that were angered by Di Matteo's decision to keep him on.
The Bulgarian added: "I remember Brad Guzan... and he came to me after training and said, 'You look like you're going to make it.' Then I turned around and said, 'I don't think I'll make it.'
"He said, 'Why's that?' I told him about the conversation where I wouldn't be getting anything and he literally went ballistic."