GOAL-DEN BOY HAILS SPECIAL DELIVERY.

Byline: LISA SMITH

RICHARD Dunne scored just seven goals in nine years at Manchester City but the Villa defender admits he is now looking to blast that record out of the water after slamming home his second goal in as many matches.

The giant centre-half was thrilled to head home another Villa goal in front of the home fans but insisted it was the special delivery he is getting at Villa this season which has been behind his prolific start to his career in claret and blue.

The Republic of Ireland centreback admitted he owed a great deal to the likes of Ashley Young and James Milner and said he was thrilled Villa have now stolen seven points from three of the top four or five sides following wins over Chelsea and Liverpool and a draw with his former club, Manchester City.

"It was nice to get a goal and be on the winning side, especially after going a goal behind," he said. "It was great to come back and win the game.

"It was really important that we bounced back and it keeps us pushing up the league which is great." Dunne admits he was never a goalscorer at Eastlands.

"I scored seven in nine years there,"he joked.

"That is two this season so far which has already surpassed my previous best!

"But it is just great to have scored a couple of goals and overall it is of course about the team and the whole performance. We were brilliant and we are all really delighted."

Dunne joined Villa in a pounds 6 million move in the summer after being pushed out of the exit door by Mark Hughes and admits he has not looked back.

"I am really glad I came here. I have no regrets," he said.

It would appear neither Martin O'Neill or the Villa faithful have any regrets about his arrival either!