Stiliyan Petrov

Stiliyan Petrov has successfully combined the roles of midfield lynchpin and on-field leader.

After making a slow start to life in claret and blue, the Bulgarian set about becoming a standout figure in the starting line-up.

Petrov followed up a fantastic 2008-09 campaign - which saw him walk away with Players, Supporters and Lions Club Player of the Year awards - by taking on the captaincy and leading the team out at Wembley on two occasions.

He has relished the responsibility of being a leader since receiving the armband in the wake of Martin Laursen's retirement.

Having signed from Celtic in 2006 and reuniting with Martin O'Neill, Petrov initially struggled to reproduce the sort of form that made him a star north of the border.

But things started to change from the moment Petrov scored from centre-circle in a 6-0 win over Derby County at Pride Park in April 2008 - a strike which won him Match of the Day's Goal of the Month award, plus Villa's Goal of the Season.

Since then, he has emerged as one of the most effective middle men in the country. Petrov's first goal at Villa Park was a stunning shot in a 2-2 draw against Stoke City in March 2009.

The inspirational skipper is still going strong at international level too and is edging towards the 100-cap mark for Bulgaria.