Stiliyan Petrov diagnosed with acute leukaemia

Petrov developed a fever shortly after the game at the Emirates and was sent to London earlier this week for extensive blood tests. The Bulgarian international was still hoping to be fit to play against Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, while awaiting the results of the tests. 's defeat against Arsenal last Saturday. A statement from Aston Villa said: "We expect to learn more about Stiliyan's situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family. The 32-year-old club captain had been hoping to secure a new two-year contract with the club after telling manager Alex McLeish he still believes he can operateat the highest level until his 35th birthday, but now the hugely popular leader in the club dressing room faces a fare more daunting challenge. His representatives Base Soccer Agency received a telephone call shortly after 12 noon on Friday afternoon and Petrov simply said: "I have got Leukaemia."That triggered a sequence of events with Villa executives being charged with the responsibility of handling the delicate situation regarding their captainand compiling an official statement to confirm the devastating news. A statement issued on the club website confirmed: "The Villa Board receivednews today that our long-standing captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosedwith Acute Leukaemia. "Stiliyan developed a fever following the Arsenal game last Saturday andsubsequently underwent tests conducted by Dr Ian McGuinness. Haematologyexperts confirmed the diagnosis today. "We expect to learn more about Stiliyan's situation in due course and wehave moved quickly to support him and his family. During this time we ask thatStiliyan's privacy is placed ahead of all inquiries and trust that we willshare information as we receive it. "Stiliyan is cherished by many and he will get from Villa every ounce oflove and support that we have to help bring this to a positive conclusion." Petrov joined Villa in an £8m transfer from Celtic in 2006, when he becameMartin O'Neill's first signing as manager in and he was the central figure inguiding Villa to three top six finishes during the O'Neill era. His existing contract with the club is due to expire in 2013 and his representatives werehoping to negotiate an extension at the end of the season, but are now chargedwith examining the details of termination of career payments and insurance payouts.