Stiliyan Petrov has agreed to become a member of the coaching staff at Aston Villa.

The 33-year-old called time on his playing career earlier this month following his successful battle against acute leukaemia.

Manager Paul Lambert said at the time that there would be a place for the Bulgarian on his coaching team, an offer which he has now accepted. He will work as an assistant to Villa's development coach Gordon Cowans.

"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," he told the club's official website.

"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."

Petrov joined Villa from Scottish Premier League side Celtic in 2006.