Five goal thriller sees Dublin snatch win
Lee Hendrie had scored early in each half to present The Villans with a cushion, but The Toffees quickly grabbed back a goal through Thomas Radzinski and looked to have earned a share of the points when Kevin Campbell converted from a corner.
However, a corner fell kindly for substitute Dublin in the tense finale and the Villa icon proved the hero by scrambling the ball into the net.
In truth either side could have snatched the points, in a breathless last period that witnessed some brilliant saves from both the much maligned Peter Enckelman and his counterpart Richard Wright.
One ahead at the break from a wonderful strike, Villa started the half nervously but when the impressive JLloyd Samuel crossed and Gareth Barry nodded down, a curiously unmarked Hendrie converted with great technique for his, and his side's second of the day.
Within second Everton had pulled one back. Thomas Gravesen was allowed to run right across the edge of the Villa penalty box and his clever reverse pass gave Radzinski a half chance that he did superbly to turn on and bury into the bottom corner.
Using their momentum, Everton then grabbed a leveller - Campbell seeing Enckelman do brilliantly to save a close range header, but then converting from the resultant corner after losing marker Peter Crouch at the near post.
Samuel's charges down the flank were a problem throughout for Everton and he drew a good save from Wright whilst Darius Vassell should have grabbed a goal when he was left with a simple nod over goalkeeper Wright, but saw his effort float wide.
Radzinski hit the side netting, but Dublin's arrival gave the exasperated Villa fans the boost they had needed when he popped up to grab the winner.
An equally pacey first half had seen Hendrie give the perfect response for being dropped for the Birmingham derby.
Already impressing with his work-rate and touch, Hendrie played a large part in the build-up that led to his early goal.
Even so when he ran onto the ball the task of converting looked daunting, until the midfielder picked a curling lofted shot out of the very top draw that left Wright with no chance.
Gareth Barry then nearly doubled the advantage with a delightful drive from range, that Wright did superbly to palm away despite a slight deflection.
Alan Stubbs then followed the heroics of his goalkeeper with a brilliant tackle that prevented Samuel from handing a clear chance to Vassell.
The best chances for Everton came through Wayne Rooney, who seemed to back out of a header when well place, and Li Tie, whose superb drive curled narrowly wide with Enckelman a spectator.
Everton can feel unfortunate about dropping a point, despite a wonderful fight back, but their opposition probably shaded the game on chances - and both deserve credit for their commitment to earning a win in the final stages.
Aston Villa v Everton
