Nottingham Forest's first European Cup win revisited
Ahead of this weekend's Champions League final live on ITV, we take a look at the success Midlands teams have had in the competition.
Match report: Aston Villa 1 – 2 Chelsea
Frank Lampard etched his name into the history books as Chelsea's record goalscorer with a match-winning brace against Aston Villa
Five Midlands relegation escapes
Aston Villa host Sunderland as both sides bid to avoid Premier League relegation. Here's a look at some Midlands escapes.
Live updates
Petrov 'ready to embrace new challenges'
Stiliyan Petrov says knowing he is ready for new challenges will make it easier to move on from football:
"Since being diagnosed with acute leukaemia in March 2012, I have come to understand and appreciate the way in which this disease impacts the lives of so many people.
I can help and I want to help and, in setting up a foundation to help address the issues involved when people are diagnosed with this illness, I hope to make a difference.
This will be my new challenge, one I will face with all the enthusiasm, energy and drive with which I have faced every single challenge."
Stiliyan Petrov retires as captain of Aston Villa
He said:
"I’ve never been a person for making grand statements. I’ve only ever got on with my job, while remaining grateful to have great team-mates, great people around me and, most of all, a fantastic family.
They have been powerful pillars of support when I have needed them most over the past year.
To my wife, Paulina, and my sons, Kristiyan and Stiliyan, I love you very much and I will always for your constant love and support.
Also to my mum and dad, my brother and Paulina’s mum and the people who have been closest to me throughout this time – you know who you are and I love you all.
Each and every day I thank God for giving me the opportunity to still be with my family.
Football has been the other great love of my life, so it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from the game.
The emotions are overwhelming really, but the continued support of family, friends and the great people I have come to know will make it easier for me to move on from the only life I’ve ever known."
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Aston Villa captain retires
Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has announced his retirement from football after a battle with leukaemia.
Petrov retires from football after leukaemia battle
Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov, who has been suffering from acute leukaemia, has announced his retirement from football on the club's website.
Writing on the club's website, the Bulgarian said he would be starting a foundation to help people diagnosed with the disease.
"That I am ready to embrace new challenges will make this process much easier," he said.
"Since being diagnosed with acute leukaemia in March 2012, I have come to understand and appreciate the way in which this disease impacts the lives of so many people."
"My leukaemia is now in remission and I have finished my high intensity treatment," he added.
David Cameron: Sir Alex Ferguson could make "life a little easier" for Aston Villa
The Prime Minister has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson - and suggested he could now help to make "life a little easier" for Aston Villa.
The Manchester United manager announced earlier today he is retiring, after 26 years in charge. David Cameron, who is a Villa fan, said Ferguson's contribution to football has been exceptional.
Leicester's Mayor: 'Rugby World Cup will boost economy'
– Leicester City Mayor Peter SoulsbyLeicester already has a great reputation as a sporting city, and it is a real privilege to take part in hosting the Rugby World Cup 2015.
This hugely-popular event will also be a major boost to the city's economy, bringing in thousands of visiting fans from across the globe.
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Leicester to host Rugby World Cup 2015
Leicester is to host three matches in the Rugby World Cup 2015.
Games will be played at Leicester City Football Club’s home ground, which will be known as the Leicester City Stadium for the duration of the Tournament, in October 2015.
Leicester is the only city in the East Midlands selected to host matches in the six-week tournament, which will see the top 20 teams in the world competing for the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup.
Argentina v Tonga (Sunday October 4), Americas 1 v Europe 2 (Tuesday October 6) and Argentina v Africa 1 (Sunday October 11) will all take place at the Leicester City Stadium.
Aston Villa CEO: 'This is an iconic stadium'
Paul Faulkner, Aston Villa Chief Executive Officer, said:
We’re delighted to be associated with this prestigious tournament and we look forward to hosting marquee matches involving two past winners in Australia and South Africa at Villa Park.
This is an iconic stadium which has hosted more FA Cup semi-finals than any other venue, along with major concerts and the Community Shield this season between Manchester City and Chelsea.
We look forward to putting on a show which will highlight the unique character of our wonderful stadium and also the distinctive character at the heart of the city of Birmingham.
Villa Park will host two Rugby World Cup matches
Aston Villa:
The Rugby World Cup 2015 venues are spread across 10 cities across England, from Birmingham to Milton Keynes, Exeter to Newcastle to enable England Rugby 2015 to showcase the game to a large audience across the length and breadth of the country, in addition to the Welsh capital.
Villa Park will host two matches, South Africa vs Samoa on Saturday, September 26 and Australia versus play-off winners on Sunday, September 27.
Villa Park confims it is a venue for Rugby World Cup
Aston Villa statement:
The Club is delighted to confirm that Villa Park has been announced as one of the match venues for the Rugby World Cup 2015 to be hosted in England.
Tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 (ER 2015) and tournament owners Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) today announced the full list of venues and published the match schedule for RWC 2015.
Villa Park is one of 13 match venues, alongside other iconic stadia such as Twickenham, Wembley, Millennium Stadium and Olympic Park.
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