Stiliyan Petrov has targeted a remarkable return to football with Aston Villa after overcoming leukaemia.

The former Celtic midfielder was forced to quit the sport in 2012 following his diagnosis but after a long-hard fight with the disease, the Bulgarian believes he can return to the professional game at the age of 36.

And Petrov wishes to play for his former club Villa, who will play in the Championship next term following their relegation from the English Premier League.

Speaking at the launch of the Stiliyan Petrov Foundation golf day, he said: "I'm looking forward to a return to football again.

"I've told Aston Villa that I'm ready to start a pre-season with them. Obviously they will always have the first look.

"I've been working close to the idea for a year and a half and I've managed to come a long way. I started gradually with slow runs then I moved to five-a-side and then 11-a-side and half a pitch, then Sunday League.

"I've been given permission to train with Villa U21s for the last four months. We've done a couple of tests in the last two weeks and my fitness is getting close to when I retired.

"I'm really excited and I understand the odds will be against me."

Petrov, who made over 300 appearances for Celtic, has retained close links with Villa since being struck down by illness and had a spell coaching the club's U21 side under former Scotland international Paul Lambert.

Celtic held a charity match for their former star in 2013 and the Petrov has frequently returned to Scotland, taking part in John Hartson's charity golf tournament at Mar Hall last week.

And he insists he won't just make up the numbers should he complete his stunning return to football.

Petrov added: "I'm getting fitter, I'm getting my life back to like what it used to be and it's a way forward. I deal with a lot of people who struggle to get their life back on track after going through treatment like that.

"It's hard. The family, the future, it's dark out there.

"I've got it in my mind, even if it doesn't happen, I've tried. It was taken away from me. I've worked hard all my life to be a footballer and it was taken away from me. I've been given a chance again to do it.

"I'm 36, but players are playing at 38, 39,40. I've looked after myself well and I think I've got a good shout."