Stiliyan Petrov said he never gave up hope of a first team recall when he was dropped from Aston Villa's starting line-up for a five-game spell after being substituted at half-time against Newcastle in early February.

He said: "The last two or three weeks have been great - apart, of course, from the defeat against Wigan. But, when I wasn't playing and the manager left me out of the squad, I didn't give up.

"I'm a positive guy and I always look at myself. I don't blame anybody else. I'm the only one that can push myself forward and make things right.

"I got my chance again, the manager moved me into the middle and I started playing well again.

"You can ask everybody at the club but I've been coming here every morning happy, laughing and joking even when I wasn't playing.

"I hope the Villa fans will see more from me and I'm hoping it will be a massive season next year."