Stiliyan Petrov says everyone at Aston Villa believes they can achieve big things under manager Martin O'Neill.

Petrov said: "We all feel we're on the verge of achieving something special here over the next few years.

"It was never a surprise to me that Martin O'Neill was linked with the England job as soon as Steve McClaren was sacked last week.

"Martin has proved an outstanding candidate over a number of years and I know if he was given the chance he would be a major success for this nation.

"We don't want that to happen of course and, looking at his comments, he has made his position clear. He is staying at Villa.

"That's music not just to the ears of the Villa fans, but the players and staff here as well. I can honestly say he is one of the most charismatic people I've ever met."

Petrov added: "At Villa we are a young, emerging team and Martin has brought in players who will only improve over the next few years.

"Understandably, then, we're desperate for him to stay because he is the one bringing it all together and we all feel we need him behind us to help us achieve the success we all crave.

"I've worked with a lot of managers in my career, but he is definitely the best. I believe he's proved himself in the season or so he's had at Villa.

"Personally, he's been the single biggest influence on my career. I spent six years with him at Celtic and he has done a lot for me."