Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: Mike Field 
Date:Monday April 7 2008
Time: 12:54PM
UK time is: 02:04:12
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MON: Thanks For Stan-ding Ovation
Martin O'Neill has on the official site thanked the Villa faithful for the response given to Stiliyan Petrov at the end of the Bolton match.
Myself I'm not sure all of it was for Petrov, some of it might have been to do with the 4-0 win, but it's what most have always said. If he performs he is an asset, like O'Neill points out though, that consistency has been sadly lacking since he joined, and it's up to him to keep to that level now.
Against Bolton Petrov did the holding job allowing Barry, and NRC to get forward more than usual and we saw the effect that had on Barry.
'He got a great reception because he played very well. I was pleased for him because the last time he played at Villa Park, I took him off in the game at half-time against Newcastle.
'His confidence was at a low ebb. He had to come back here and battle through that. He knew that. I'm aware of what he is capable of doing but it is something the Villa fans have seen all too seldom. It is up to him. He is capable of producing that.
'Interestingly, he never really played the holding midfield role in a three for me at Celtic. In fact, he was the one going forward but on Saturday to get a grip of the game, I felt he was capable of doing it.
'I thought last week at Old Trafford there were signs when he didn't do too badly in the game but this was a big, big day for him, one I think he was up for which was obvious from his performance.
'On Saturday he was so positive, got a couple of challenges in as well. All of those things give you a big boost.
'I know from my own experience if you can get a couple of challenges in early on and get a feel of the ball, it really helps. Two or three times he has manoeuvred it brilliantly and by half-time his confidence was way up.'
One thing is for sure a Petrov on that form will make a big difference to us, who else is still seeing that ball through midfield - blimey we've missed a player capable of doing that!
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Your Comments
Its like having a new signing
young_jonah
Or is MON using this standing ovation to try and justify the signing of Petrov?
still skeggy
Skeggy, give the bloke a chance, thers no doubting he has talent but football is about confidence, ok it has taken longer than i thought to adjust to the premier league but a few more games like saturday and we will realise what an asset we have got.
silkie villain
He has had a chance silkie. 65+ games is more than a chance. He has got to perform in more than a few more games like Saturday, as you put it, to repay the faith the Villa Park faithful put into him at the start of his Villa career.
still skeggy
I thought we were excellent throughout on Saturday. The only points to be worked on were Carsons inability to command his box again and being hyper critical, Okey Cokeys use of the ball in advanced positions. However, Petrov really deserved his ovation. I believe that he is a confidence player and hopefully it will have done him the world of good for the seasons run in. I think it was as simple of reverting back to the three in the middle that has suited us so well this season. Against Boro and Sunderland M'ON had tried to play Maloney and Young as wide men and this left Barry and Okey Cokey battling in midfield against teams who at the time were fighting for their lives. Hopefully the lessons will have been learned and it will not happen again. The system allowed Young to have the free role and if he learns when to go down the wing and when to sit behind the front two (as Ronaldo has), it has good possibilities. When a more attacking right back is then added to the equation, it makes the future very bright. As for Petrovs contribution since arriving I am still one of those who think he has done OK. He has had as many good games as he has bad ones. He has been consistently average but I think the expectation levels (quite rightly because he does have the ability) mean that we expected more than average. However people make the mistake of saying his performances have been bad, because they haven't been brilliant. In reality, most performances haven't been bad, they just haven't been brilliant. He has always given 100% though. The opta stats indicate that he covers more ground than any other Villa. As a fan all I ask is for 100%. There have been many players who haven't given us that over the years.
voiceoftheholte
There is a long way to go for him to show he is good enough, but he has taken the first step to being a good player, may long it continue. Some will use him to prove their anti or pro MON theories which is a tad pathetic, he has the ability he just needs to show whether he is good enough in this division.
young_jonah
Excellent write voiceoftheholte. Couldn't have put it better. Amazing with a bit of encouragement how performances can benefit. For those idiots booing Zat when his name was read out before the match, GROW UP. Give him support, he just MIGHT turn out to be the player we want. He WON'T if you get on his back even before the game has started.
krfeskivilla
he was brilliant on saturday, everything positive went through him and he always looked forward for a change. fairplay stan, please keep it up.
Stig
Hope he gets a goal or two though we've really missed that from him he seemed to score enough for celtic and his national team.
villabikes29
agree young jonah petrov played well but one good game every two years isn't the form of a seven million pound international midfielder. We have 5 cup finals to try and snatch a european place, if he plays his part in those games then we may be able to say that petrov has turned the corner, lets hope he shows us all his quality.
Waldorf
Waldorf, I know you no fan of the Bulgarian crab but we have not many other options, he's been a massive disappointment overall. MON's words were honest and critical as they could be, but we need to get behind the team for the last few games. The players have got us into this situation and it's just a shame we haven't produced against Fulham, Sunderland, ManU and Boro. I'm a tad nervous about the FA cup Final - I think Cardiff could do it, they've nothing to lose (apart from the cup hahahaha)
tarzan
He's taken stick when he performed poorly, he deserved the plaudits for Saturdays effort. He looked quality. Way To Go Stan!
glensider
Agree with VOTH that Petrov is very much a confidence player, and you could see the confidence come flooding back as the game against Bolton progressed.
glensider
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