Dublin gets O'Leary's praise

Last updated : 26 October 2003 By Paul Doherty
Dublin was drafted into the side as an emergency centre-half after the late withdrawal of Ronny Johnsen with a toe injury.

"It was not a case of me being a genius and reinventing Dion Dublin as a player. I had no-one else, said the Villa boss after the game at Villa Park.

"I've also had to play him there on a couple of occasions before when he has done well - and it was the same with the way he played again today.

"Everton tried to play Wayne Rooney right up against Dion for a lot of the game but he handled things excellently.

"When a footballer gets older, particularly at the back, he can be wise and read the game and put himself in the right positions and Dion did that."