Petrov will celebrate five years at Villa this summer after becoming former manager Martin O'Neill's first signing from Celtic in 2006. The Bulgaria midfielder, who recently clocked up 100 caps for his country, has helped Villa to three successive top-six finishes in the Premier League and a Carling Cup final appearance. And Petrov is confident the good times will soon return to Villa Park after a rare season of struggle for the Midlanders. The 31-year-old said: "We haven't won anything since I came here but I believe we have moved the club to the next level. "I also believe we can get back to being a top team. "We're not in the best of positions right now so we need to get out of trouble and then go again next season. "We have some very good players but we haven't lived up to expectations this season so we are looking to put that right." Villa have picked up four points from their last two games to ease their fears of relegation for the first time in 24 years. Petrov said: "We need everyone pulling in the same direction because we are in a strange situation. "But I believe we will pull out of it - and the fans deserve more. "The games are counting down and we are still not in a very comfortable position. "That's something we need to achieve soon so we are not looking over our shoulders. "There are six big games to go and it's essential we get enough points to survive." Villa boss Gerard Houllier brought Petrov back into the starting XI for Sunday's 1-0 win over Newcastle after he had been left out against Everton, to allow him time to recover from his international exertions, Houllier says. He said: "When you are in the position we are in, you need experience. "The week before, Stiliyan played two internationals and earned his 100th cap so I didn't play him at Everton. "But I told him in the middle of last week that he would be involved against Newcastle. "He trained hard and looked fitter. His experience allied to his skill brought a lot to us in that game. "I knew we needed someone who could make a long pass to switch play because Newcastle are very good at defending and squeezing up."
