Stiliyan Petrov's agent has rejected reports claiming that the midfielder plans to retire from football after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

It was confirmed yesterday that the Aston Villa captain is suffering with the illness and will begin treatment immediately.

The 32-year-old was quoted as saying in an interview with Bulgarian sports newspaper Tema Sport: "No more football, this is the end."

However, Stephen Hughes has dismissed the reports and insists that his client has no plans to retire.

"It is not true that Stiliyan has said he is retiring from football," Hughes told Sky Sports News.

"What he did say was that he was fighting for his life and that he will fight to recover."

Petrov is in the stands for Villa's Premier League clash with Chelsea this afternoon.

Click here for a half-time report from Villa Park.