Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has revealed he expects to be sidelined for around three months.
Skipper facing lengthy spell on sidelines
Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has revealed he expects to be sidelined for around three months.
Villa were dealt a blow last month when the midfielder suffered a partial medial knee ligament tear during their 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.
Petrov's prognosis is at the higher end of the timescale
predicted last week by manager Gerard Houllier, who confirmed the 31-year-old would be out until at least Christmas.
Disappointed
"I'm bitterly disappointed not to be involved," Petrov told Villa's
official website.
"I feel okay, but the knee injury I picked up against Sunderland means I will be out for around three months.
"It was one of those things and you have just got to accept that sometimes these things happen in football.
"It is the first time I have been out for such a lengthy period since I suffered a broken leg when playing for Celtic 10 years ago.
"But I have every confidence in the boys to go out there and perform to the best of their ability.
"The team have been working really hard under the new manager and we have been playing well recently.
"We've been creating a lot of chances too so hopefully we can start putting a few more of them away.
"But it will take time and that is something that every team needs under a new manager."
Absence
The skipper's armband has gone to Nigel Reo-Coker in Petrov's absence, and the midfielder has been backed by team-mate Barry Bannan to thrive in the role.
"Nigel has done really well," said Bannan. "He is an experienced player. He knows what he is doing.
"It is not as if he is new to it because he captained West Ham and Wimbledon when he was younger.
"So, he is a great replacement captain because he has been there before and done it before."
