Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has praised Stiliyan Petrov as the club captain continues his battle against acute leukaemia.

The 33-year-old Bulgarian, who is currently in remission, was diagnosed with the illness one year ago this week.

"I am always in contact with Stiliyan," Lambert is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"He is doing great and I don't think anyone in this room can imagine what he has been going through, the way he has battled so strongly.

"He is doing really well and hopefully it's not too long before he comes out of that stage he's at."

Petrov joined Villa from Celtic in 2006.