IT could be just coincidence, but Stiliyan Petrov's return to form has coincided with Aston Villa's bid to break up the big four in the Premier League.

And the Bulgarian inter-national is desperate to keep Martin O'Neill's side on course for a Champions League slot for next season.

The Midlands club are flying high at the top end of the Premiership as they occupy fourth spot at the expense of Arsenal.

With 22 games played, Petrov and Co are only three points behind joint leaders Manchester United and Liverpool and one worse off than Chelsea.

Petrov has been outstanding this season after two difficult years at the club when he failed to win over the supporters following his £6million move from Celtic. And he couldn't be any happier.

"It certainly took me a lot longer to settle in that I envisaged," explained Petrov. "When I left Celtic I expected to settle pretty quickly at Villa, especially as I was going to be playing under the same management team I worked under at Parkhead.

"But it was difficult. I thought I started well enough, but then I got some stick and it didn't go well for me. I found myself out of the side and that is always frustrating. But you have to believe in yourself and work hard in training.

"Now I'm delighted with the way things are going at the moment. We are fourth in the league and within touching distance of the clubs directly ahead of us.

"I think our progress this season has surprised a lot of people, but we have an excellent team here at Villa. Now we've got to try and keep things going between now and the end of the season. It would be an outstanding achievement if we can manage to see this through."

For Petrov, that would be just reward for sticking to his guns and believing he could cut it in what is widely considered to be the best league in the world.

From leaving Celtic, where he was idolised by supporters, to struggling to impress at Villa and finding himself on the wrong end of fierce criticism from their fans, it was a difficult chapter in his career.

But that is a measure of the man. It was the same when he first arrived in Glasgow tipped for big things and failed to set the heather on fire immediately.

Martin O'Neill has this week offered him a new three-year deal to keep him at the club which proves how big a hit he has been this season. Petrov said: "When you come off the pitch and you see the fans are not satisfied with your game, it's very hard.

"I had to take it and try to show them they were wrong and that I was better than that. When I was hearing the boos it was difficult to take - no player would enjoy that.

"But I also understand the supporters only want what is best for their team and get frustrated when players are not performing.

"But I have a good relationship with them now. I'm pleased to have turned them around and I feel as though I'm playing good stuff now."

Petrov continues to keep in touch with several of his former Celtic team-mates and is watching his former club's progress this term with interest.

But it's Villa's bid to remain ahead of Arsenal and push Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all the way that is occupying most of his thoughts.

He said: "The four of them are huge clubs who are all competing in the Champions League and will feel they have a good chance of winning the competition.

"But it's important we just try to focus on what we are doing and leave the other clubs to worry about what they are doing. We just prepare for each game as it comes and try to go out there and get all three points.

"Every game down here is a massive test. Even the teams at the lower end of the table have good players and make life tough for you, so if you aren't performing well then there is always the danger of dropping points.

"However, we've managed to be pretty consistent up until now and it's just a case of trying to keep things going."