Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Sometimes football clubs and football fans do not get the credit they always deserve.

Already this season we have seen vile chanting, managers defending play-acting and racism rows which do nothing for the reputation of the game.

So it heartening to see just how dignified, respectful and supportive both Aston Villa Football Club and their fans have been to help midfielder Stiliyan Petrov in his recovery from leukemia.

At 33, Petrov is unlikely to play for the club again as he battles back from his terrible illness, but that has not stopped the enormous amount of good feeling coming from anyone with any connection to the club.

First to the supporters: they organised a well attended charity match at Halesowen Town last Sunday in a bid to raise money for charities supporting leukemia. Over £10,000 was claimed.

Fans sing Petrov’s name at every game – 19 minutes in to reflect the former Celtic man’s squad number – and he has acknowledged that such backing has reduced him to tears on a number of occasions.

Then there’s the club. They presented him with a birthday cake when he called into training in the summer and even the masseurs did their bit, cycling 400-miles for a Pedal for Petrov cycle ride.

(Image: Getty)

It was even more warming to hear Paul Lambert talk last Friday at his pre-match Manchester City press conference.

Ultimately the club were heavily beaten in a match of such importance that saw them drop into the relegation zone as a result.

But Lambert wanted to speak at length about his absent midfielder, it was the most important topic of all. Everything else was insignificant.

Lambert of course knows Petrov from the pair’s days together at Celtic and will do everything in his power to ensure he is well looked after.

The Scot hinted that the powers that be Randy Lerner and Paul Faulkner will ensure a role is there for the Bulgarian when he recovers in full following the illness that has tragically struck him. You would not think any less of Aston Villa.

Thankfully Petrov is in remission. He has had a fighting spirit throughout his time in football but you like to think that the tremendous support he has received from all parties associated with the Villains has helped aid his recovery.

Football is not important when it comes to health and it is to their eternal credit that Aston Villa have not forgotten about Petrov.