Petrov up for the fight

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov is calling for a united front to keep the club in the Barclays Premier League.

Villa plunged into the drop zone following Wednesday's home defeat to Sunderland, but Petrov insists the whole squad are up for the fight of staying up.
"We've got 18 games to go and we hope and will try to be in the Premier League because from now on it is going to be a long and hard fight," said Petrov who is back in action following a two-month injury lay-off.
 "We're up for it. We don't run from it. We understand the frustration, the fans' frustration. It is just normal.
"They want to come here and see a successful team. We are not showing it at the moment and they've got the right to do it (show frustration).
"But we've need to change their mind. We can only turn things around, nobody else.
"People say you need to react. It is hard but we will get our heads around it. It is hard at the moment but that is why we are sticking together.
"We know how hard it is. We've got talent but it is a different kind of pressure. It is up to us to do it."

attacking options

Petrov hopes striker John Carew will stay at the club to help them avoid relegation.
Carew has been strongly linked with a move away in this month's transfer window after falling out of favour with manager Gerard Houllier.


West Bromwich Albion have been credited with an interest in the big Norwegian striker as they look to bolster their attacking options.
However, Petrov hopes Carew and Houllier can resolve their differences for the sake of Villa's scrap to survive in the top flight.
"Is there any chance Carew might get back involved? You know what, I hope so, I hope so. It is really frustrating," admitted Petrov.
"I won't go into details but, I'll tell you what, if John wants to show these fans that he wants to belong here, he is going to help us because we really need him.
"At times like this you need characters and he is definitely one of them and we hope we can have him because he has been a big figure here. We've missed him."
When asked if Carew would be picked, Petrov added: "If we have him, it will be great because he has scored goals for us and we know what John is capable of.
"If they can work it out, we will definitely welcome John because he is a big part of this team.
"Would I pick him? I'll pick anyone that is available because we've got good players and we need everyone available now."