Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has revealed that he is keen to rejoin the club as a player following their relegation to the Championship.

The 36-year-old retired from football in 2013 after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia, but he is hopeful of making an unexpected return having beaten the disease.

Petrov has been in training ahead of a potential comeback, and admitted that a return to Villa, where he made 218 appearances in all competitions, would be his ideal choice.

"I have decided to start trying to play football again at a higher level again. I am very excited. People will be asking a lot of questions, and will have a lot of doubts," he told the Birmingham Mail.

"I always believe that if you work hard, you will get fitter. My fitness is getting close to when I retired, so let's see where we go. Aston Villa remains my priority."

Villa have won just three games all season and will be playing in the second tier of English football for the first time since 1987 next term.