PAUL Dickov today explained his reasons for rejecting a move to Birmingham City as he looks ahead to a prosperous New Year with Blackburn Rovers.

The former Leicester City striker, who will spearhead the Blackburn attack when they face Aston Villa in the Midlands tomorrow, was the subject of a recent £200,000 bid from Blues boss Steve Bruce.

Rovers manager Mark Hughes informed the 32-year-old of City's interest as soon as it was made known out of courtesy to the player.

But Dickov emphatically dismissed any prospect of a switch to St Andrews by insisting he wants to be a part of what he believes will be a bright and exciting future under Hughes at Ewood Park.

"The manager told me about it as soon as Birmingham came in and he asked me if I was happy at the club and I said 'yes, I'm delighted with the way things are going'," said Dickov.

"The offer was then turned down and from my point of view, that's the end of the story.

"I'm happy here, I'm working with a great bunch of lads, I believe in what the manager and the coaching staff are doing at the club and I want to be a part of that.

"I feel the only way is up as long as we continue doing the right things.

"The gaffer, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki are all doing the business and I think the only way is forward for this club."

Rovers' fortunes have already undergone a transformation since Hughes replaced Graeme Souness in the hot-seat three months ago.

The club were languishing in 19th position in the league when Hughes took over in September but they have since hauled themselves out of the bottom three, thanks to a run which has seen them lose just once in the last 10 games.

The latest evidence of a revival came in the shape of a gritty 1-0 win at Bolton on Tuesday - Rovers' first away victory over Wanderers in the top flight for 40 years.

With four points now separating Blackburn and the bottom three, Dickov and his team-mates are beginning to look up at the teams above them rather than those below.

And there's genuine belief within the camp that a top-half finish is still within their grasp after a profitable Christmas so far.

"Everyone was delighted with the result at Bolton," said Dickov.

"We all felt we should have beaten Newcastle on Boxing Day so to go to Bolton and get the three points was very pleasing.

"Now we've got to look to keep that going because there's no point picking up four points from two games if we can't then build on it.

"We've got to look at the Bolton game, take the confidence out of it and say 'right, let's have a good go at it over the second half of the season'.

"I thought the back four were outstanding the other day. Andy Todd, in particular, has been our best player by far over the last three or four games.

"Flitty's also back in midfield and really digging in there as well so we look a lot more solid.

"When the lads are defending properly at the back that gives everyone in the team the belief that we can nick something from games.

"I think the character and team spirit among the lads is there for everyone to see.

"When we're behind in games, we don't give up and then at Bolton on Tuesday, which was one of the few games recently where we went ahead, I think you saw the grit and determination among the team not to let that lead slip."

The key to that up-turn in fortunes has been Rovers' away form.

Hughes' side have won two and drawn three of their last five games on the road, keeping three clean sheets in the process.

But Villa will provide another stiff test of their mettle tomorrow, even though David O'Leary's team have suffered something of a dip in form of late having taken just one point from a possible 18, a sequence which has seen them slump from sixth to 11th in the table.

On top of that, O'Leary's already paper-thin squad has been decimated by injuries and Gavin McCann, Mark Delaney and Jlloyd Samuel are still struggling with various aches and pains ahead of Rovers' visit.

That said, Dickov insists Villa still need treating with respect as Rovers go in search of back-to-back Premiership wins for the first time this season.

"It's going to be hard," said Rovers' leading scorer.

"It's another game away from home but we've got to build on what we did at Bolton.

"Villa are a good side and they'll be looking at the table expecting to beat us but we've got to take the confidence and the character out of what we did on Tuesday and go there looking for the three points again."

In the meantime, Dickov is hoping to extend his own hot-streak into the New Year.

The Scotland international took his tally for the season to seven with two goals in three days over the Christmas period but he's hungry for more in the second half of the season.

"It's been a decent Christmas for me so far," added the feisty striker.

"There were three or four games leading up to it where I hadn't scored and sometimes as a striker that does start to play on your mind a little bit.

"But to then score two in three days is obviously very pleasing, especially when one of them comes at Bolton, which is a big game for the fans.

"I'm pleased with the goals I've got so far but I feel as though I should have had 14 by now.

"Hopefully, I will get a few more between now and the end of the season."