Football: Gregory: We need the old Dion back

Aston Villa manager John Gregory is looking for ''the old Dion Dublin'' to re-emerge in tomorrow’s crunch FA Cup fourth round tie with Leicester City at Villa Park.

Dublin has been struggling to produce his best form this season and has scored just five goals, although he is still Villa’s top scorer.

The former Coventry player was taken out of the firing line for Wednesday’s home Premiership reverse to Leeds United.

But Gregory is hoping his £5.5m capture will be suitably refreshed as Villa look to end a 13-year sequence without a win against the Foxes.

Dublin, whom Gregory insists has not had his form affected by the broken neck he suffered 13 months ago, looks set to partner £9.5m record signing Juan Pablo Angel in attack.

It is a match they must win to realistically keep alive their hopes of a European spot after a run of one win in 11 league matches has seen them slump to 13th spot.

Gregory said:''‘We felt Wednesday was an ideal opportunity to give Dion a breather.

''He has been playing, sometimes on his own, upfront for long periods and working himself almost to a standstill.

''There has been a major responsibility on his shoulders and we felt it was time to give him a rest.

''But he is very much in my thoughts for Saturday and hopefully he will be a lot fresher.

''He hasn’t been the Dion of old and I’d be lying if I said otherwise.

''There have been flashes of it. In the two cup games with Newcastle he did very well, particularly at their place.

''He has not been quite himself but the team have not performed as well and provided the same number of chances as before.

''But Dion has stayed in good spirits and there was no sulking from him when he was left out on Wednesday. He acted like a professional should and was speaking in Spanish to Juan Pablo Angel and encouraging Darius Vassell.''

Gregory will be at virtually full strength with the exception of injured skipper Gareth Southgate.

There is speculation that there might not even be a place on the bench for David Ginola, who spent Friday afternoon filming a free-kick stunt with Jeremy Clarkson at Villa Park.

Gregory, who will also have striker Julian Joachim available after injury, would not comment on this but did admit: ''We will certainly have the strongest bench we have had for months.

''One or two players who have been in the team might have a battle just to be amongst the substitutes and that’s a good position to be in.''

Gregory insisted his players will be in the right frame of mind to tackle Peter Taylor’s team despite their recent dismal run of results.

He said: ''We were pleased with the way we played against Leeds. We know we have played a lot worse this season and got something in terms of points for our efforts.

''We are not too disillusioned. The guys are in really good spirits. They know that if the ball had bounced kinder on Wednesday they could have won the game.

''We can’t escape the fact that Leicester are a bogey side to us and the Worthington Cup semi-final defeat last season is fresh in our minds.

''But these things come to an end and I can’t think of a better time than Saturday for us to end our hoodoo.''

Midfielder Lee Hendrie said: ''It’s going to be tough and we are in a tough situation. Leicester are our bogey side and we have had a long barren run against them.

''We cannot hide from that. The players and fans have been hurting for 13 years. It’s been going on too long and it needs to be put right.

''Leicester are an up and down side but the loss against Leeds has hurt the lads a lot and now we have regrouped we know we have to win.

''We need to start winning again desperately and the FA Cup is the one that keeps the season rolling because it is our best chance of Europe given our league position.''