Aston Villa's Premier League clash against Chelsea this weekend will go ahead as planned at the request of seriously ill captain Stiliyan Petrov.

The 32-year-old midfielder has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia after undergoing tests in relation to a fever this week.

The news raised concerns over whether tomorrow's meeting at Villa Park should go ahead, but it is understood that Petrov has urged his side to take to the field against the former English champions.

Following the announcement, Petrov's former manager Neil Lennon lent his support to the midfielder, who left Celtic six years ago.