Petrov said: “I was very close to joining Portsmouth.
“They came in with a few bids and if Celtic had accepted their first, second or third bids, I could’ve been their player now. But Celtic didn’t accept them and I’m here now.
“I’m glad that’s all over because it was a big pressure on me. I’m a Villa player now so it doesn’t matter.
“I made the right decision coming here and like every player at this club, we’ll fight to get to a good place in the table.
“That’s what we’re going to do.”
