Petrov said: “Shaun is my friend but also a player with great quality and he will show everybody at Aston Villa what he is capable of.
“I know he was a little homesick a while back but I think he has overcome that now. He knows we have to knuckle down and fight together.
“He has been working hard but it has been difficult for him as it’s the first time away from home for him. I know all about that and it’s hard. But I now think he’s coping well.
“I know the Scottish papers keep talking about Shaun coming back but that’s because he did so well at Celtic.
“It’s normal that perhaps they might want a player who’s done so well for them in the past. He is very special and the Villa fans will see that this season.
“I think this is the league where he should be right now. He should be enjoying every moment of what he’s doing, because a lot of players want to be in his place.
“I don’t know what player wouldn’t want to be playing at this level to be honest.”
