Aston Villa have appointed Stiliyan Petrov as assistant to development coach Gordon Cowans, the club's official websitehave announced. Villa's 33-year-old former captain announced his retirement on May 9, 2013 having battled successfully against acute leukaemia.

"I'm very excited by this new challenge and I wish to thank the Club and the manager, Paul Lambert, for giving me the opportunity to continue my association with Villa, which I have always regarded as a privilege," Petrov said.

"I will study for my coaching badges over the coming months and I am looking forward very much to working with Gordon Cowans, someone I know and respect, a true Villa legend.

"My hope is that I can assist Gordon through my own experience in the game and that I can help the young lads to progress, become better players and better human beings. There are important values that we have always stood for at the Club and we will continue to do so."