4-1

*Dublin faces sterner tests.*

The name on everyone’s lips was, naturally, Dublin. But those seeking a more accurate yardstick for Villa’s title aspirations should perhaps think of Manchester, London or Liverpool.

In the next 28 days United, Arsenal and Anfield’s currently palsied crew will dock at Villa Park for the first time this season and it is the result of these three games rather than the five goals in the new striker’s first two starts which is likely to offer a firmer fix on Villa’s championship hopes.

This is not to detract from Dion Dublin’s achievements, which are likely to be recognised by an England start on Wednesday.

Villa’s £5.75 million signing has obviously added potency to the cause, but an opportunist punisher of lax defending is not going to win every match, especially against the likes of Arsenal and United.

As John Gregory looks to turn a club-record start of 12 League games undefeated into Villa’s first championship trophy since 1981, these fixtures will test his side’s other qualities.

After Dublin opened the scoring with a deftly-placed header on two and a half minutes, Villa struggled to find the invention to shake off Southampton’s pressing game. They kept possession for long periods but too often were forced backwards to do so, despite the chirpy midfield promptings of Lee Hendrie.

Villa were perhaps thankful that Southampton equalised, the goal crafted and scored by the wonderfully jinking feet of Matthew Le Tissier eight minutes into the second half. With thoughts of beating the leaders driving their play, Jones’s players surged forward on the attack. Within two minutes Ugo Ehiogu’s attempted clearance from the impressive Stuart Ripley’s cross whacked the Villa bar, encouraging Southampton to believe that this was the perfect tactic.

But in reality the Saints had merely forgotten their status - and their plan. In piling forward “they left the back door open again” bemoaned the beleagured Jones. Villa took full advantage.

The type of penetrating run from midfield which England have lacked since Paul Gascoigne’s demise helped restore the visitors’ lead. Encouragingly it came from Hendrie, who hopes to start on Wednesday. Dublin curled in the lay-off past Paul Jones from 20 yards.

Goal No. 3 was sparked by Gareth Barry’s quick ball out of defence to Stan Collymore, whose equally quick pass to Paul Merson was swept home by the England forward, and the fourth came near the end when Ehiogu nodded down Hendrie’s corner and Dublin flicked the ball home.

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John Gregory has told Manchester United they can buy the goalkeeper Mark Bosnich for £1 million now.

The Australian, whose contract at Villa Park runs out at the end of this season, making him available on a free transfer, is a likely replacement for Peter Schmeichel and Gregory said: “If United are concerned about the Schmeichel situation and they want to win the Premiership, then they can have Bosie for one million quid.”

Alex Ferguson retorted: “I will not be offering £1 million for Bosnich. We are in no rush.”