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Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov took fans back to his playing days when he slotted home a penalty in a charity match.

The popular star laced up his boots and took to the field in Sutton Coldfield for only the second time since his top-flight career was tragically cut short due to leukaemia in March 2012.

And in a match for his new charity The Stiliyan Petrov Foundation, set up to help others with leukaemia, the 34-year-old rolled back the years by scoring from the spot at the Boldmere St Michael’s pitch in Church Lane, Sutton Coldfield.

He was joined on the field by a host of Villa legends.

Paul Merson, Alan Wright and Julian Joachim signed up for the Petrov XI, while former favourites from the 1980s European Cup winning side, including Gordon Cowans, Ken McNaught and Tony Morley turned out for the Lions and Legends side.

Aston Villa fans, perhaps suffering from big match withdrawal symptoms due to the lack of a competitive fixture this weekend, were able to console themselves by cheering on their former stars.

Lee Hendrie set up Tony Morley for a goal for the Lions and Legends, but Julian Joachim netted an equaliser before the captain grabbed his penalty to send the crowd wild.

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As well as enjoying the match in the fine sunshine, the hundreds of fans who turned out were able to take part in a charity auction and raffle.

Stiliyan, who lives in Four Oaks with wife Paulina and sons Kristiyan and Stiliyan Jr, is now in remission. Following his retirement he briefly took on coaching duties at the Villa Academy, but now devotes his time to the charity work.

The game was his second following his illness. Last September he turned out in an all-stars match for another of his former club Celtic.