Vassell gets brotherly advice from Villa veteran

Darius Vassell has thanked his Aston Villa striking partner, Dion Dublin, for helping him through his lean start to the season.

Vassell is full of praise for the help he receives on the pitch and also the training ground from Dublin, who is enjoying a new lease of life at the age of 33.

The England striker has not enjoyed the best of times since returning from the World Cup finals, suffering several injuries and managing only two Premiership goals this season. But Dublin has always been available to offer him words of advice and encouragement and, on Saturday, Vassell looked back to his best in the 4-1 home win over Fulham."Sometimes when things aren't going well for me, my head seems to go down a bit, I will admit that," Vassell said. "For example, this season I've had little niggles injury-wise and I don't think I've been anywhere near the sort of form that I managed to hit at certain times last season.

"But Dion has been tremendous towards me. On the pitch he is like a big brother. He is like a second captain out there. He is always helping me. He is always lifting me and keeping me going at 100 per cent regardless of how he is playing himself and I will always be thankful to him for that."

Vassell believes Dublin has the sort of qualities which could see him move into a coaching role. He said: "He has got that in him. He's a good talker, he's good with young lads and could do a good job but I think that is the last thing on his mind at the moment. He is playing well like the Dion we all know and love."

Vassell's team-mate, goalkeeper Peter Enckelman, has set his sights on challenging Antti Niemi and Jussi Jaaskelainen for the Finland No 1 spot.

Enckelman, who has been in outstanding form this season despite his own goal against Birmingham, said: "We've got three goalkeepers in the Premiership and they are all playing well so there is competition for places with the national team.

"Niemi has got 50 caps for Finland and has been playing there for the last five years and he has got a bit of an edge on myself and Jaaskelainen at the moment. But you have to compete and I will do whatever I can to stay No 1 here and to be challenging for the No 1 position with Finland as well although the next international is not until March. This is my first lengthy run in the Premiership and I have generally been happy with my form so far."