Aston Villa took another stride away from the Barclaycard Premiership relegation zone as goals from the in-form Dion Dublin and substitute Darius Vassell pushed Bolton further into the mire.

Dublin made the early breakthrough and then substitute Vassell killed off the hopes of a spirited Bolton side 10 minutes from time.

The game was hardly a classic and there were many tired limbs at the end of the third game in six days particularly given the heavy conditions underfoot.

But Villa were worth the three points as they took another step towards ensuring they will not be part of a relegation battle in 2003.

It was their eighth victory at Villa Park this season and was a perfect tonic ahead of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Blackburn.

Dublin impressed up front while Lee Hendrie and Gareth Barry were driving forces in midfield for the home side.

The only black mark against Barry was his failure to capitalise on any of a hat-trick of decent opportunities which could have allowed Villa to breathe more easily long before Vassell's strike.

Bolton had a fair share of possession, particularly in the opening 45 minutes when Jay-Jay Okocha looked the most creative player on show.

But they were second best in the second half and face a long struggle if they are to cling onto their top-flight status.

Bolton, beaten just twice in their previous nine matches, made a positive start but they found themselves trailing after just eight minutes to Dublin's ninth goal of the campaign.

Villa's first worthwhile attack saw full-back Alan Wright, starting his first Premiership clash since the away game with Bolton in September, make a good run into space on the left flank.

His eventual low cross was stepped over by Hendrie, back in the side after suspension, and ran into the path of Dublin who clinically steered the ball wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen into the corner of the net.

This settled Villa down and Jaaskelainen then pulled off an excellent save to keep out a powerful header from Barry after he had got on the end of an inswinging corner from Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Then Barry turned another corner from the Germany Under-21 player back across goal only for Villa central defender Olof Mellberg to have his close-range header deflected over the crossbar.

But Bolton were far from overawed and Kevin Nolan should have done better when he shot high and wide after meeting a deep cross whipped in from the right by the dangerous Okocha.

The Nigerian drilled an effort wide and Stefan Postma, retained in the Villa goal despite Peter Enckelman regaining fitness, clung onto a curling effort from Nolan.

At the other end, Ulises de la Cruz saw his low shot collected by Jaaskelainen while Dublin sent a glancing header across the face of goal.

It was Bolton who finished the first half on the offensive as Postma was well positioned to cling onto a low dipping drive from Henrik Pedersen.

Villa went for the jugular in the early stages of the second period and Barry should have done better when he screwed his low shot wide when in yards of space after he had collected a deep cross from de la Cruz in his stride.

Hendrie then made a powerful run forward to get on the end of a crossfield ball from Barry only to then slice his shot wide.

But Bolton could still not be written off and Postma kept out a rising effort from Ricketts after more good play by Okocha.

Hendrie was making more of an impact and one powerful run took him onto the end of a crossfield pass from Barry but he shot tamely wide.

He then became the first player to be booked just after the hour mark after tugging at the shirt of Ricardo Gardner.

Barry was also driving forward to good effect but his apparent inability to finish again let him down when he shot across goal from eight yards out after Gudni Bergsson had inadvertently turned the ball into his path.

Bolton looked to have strong claims for a penalty 13 minutes from time when Ricketts looked to be held by a Villa defender but play was waved on by referee Matt Messias.

Then Postma did well to cling onto a low drive from Gardner but with 10 minutes left substitute Vassell gave breathing space with his seventh goal of the season.

The England striker chased after a long ball from Wright which Bergsson looked favourite to win. But he was dispossessed as he tried to shepherd it out of play and Vassell cut in before beating Jaaskelainen with a low shot from the edge of the six-yard box.

Teams

Aston Villa: Postma, Edwards, Samuel, Mellberg, Wright, De la Cruz (Cooke 88), Hendrie, Hitzlsperger (Kinsella 66), Barry, Dublin, Angel (Vassell 66).

Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Ridgewell.

Booked: Hitzlsperger, Hendrie.

Goals: Dublin 8, Vassell 80.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Barness, Bergsson, Whitlow, Charlton, Pedersen (Facey 61), Nolan (Bulent 85), Frandsen (Tofting 76), Gardner, Ricketts, Okocha.

Subs Not Used: Livesey, Poole.

Att: 31,838

Ref: M Messias (N Yorkshire).