Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov joins Tim Sherwood's backroom staff

Stiliyan Petrov is returning to Villa Park.

Petrov, who featured for Aston Villa from 2006-2012, was forced to retire from professional football in May 2013 after being diagnosed with leukemia. However, he won his lengthy battle with cancer and will now join manager Tim Sherwood's backroom staff.

"Stan will always have a place at this football club while I'm the manager," Sherwood said. "It's important for legends to come back to the club. But I don't want him to be a mascot here. I want him to contribute and he certainly can contribute. Stiliyan can add an awful lot to the football club.

"He knows the boys and he's well respected among the group. I think it's important to have as many people who know the fabric of the football club here. He's well and he's raring to go.

"He has a good football mind. He's a very technically-minded member of staff here now. I have had a lot of chats with him about the game. He is a great asset - and I'd like to welcome him here. You want as many winners as you can. I will continue to talk to him and find out where he thinks he can contribute - and where I think I can use him."

Villa sit 17th in the Premier League table, three points above the relegation zone.