Iain Dowie wants restored captain Michael Hughes to help haul Palace off the bottom of the Premiership, after admitting he made a mistake in dropping him.

The 33-year-old Northern Ireland international was recalled and made captain for Saturday's defeat by Manchester City, having watched three games from the bench this season.

Defender Fitz Hall had been preferred in Hughes' central midfield role where he orchestrated Palace's promotion last season, but on Saturday, Hall replaced the injured Tony Popovic at the back.

Dowie said: "Sometimes you look outside for other influences when maybe you should be looking closer to home. That was probably remiss of me, but you learn from it.

"I am not too old or wise to think I don't make mistakes, you do and Michael's performance was very very good and he has got to keep that level. Technically there is no issue with him at all, but what is clear is that we do need to get some goals from midfield."

Palace are three points adrift at the bottom on a run of five defeats, but Dowie insists the league table should be no shock.

He said: "No one is more disappointed in our points return than the players and management staff, but you have got to keep focused. We are not being torn apart.

"There is no panic buttons being pressed here. We are aware of how difficult this league is and that we haven't got the points. Look at the league table and look how the first division finished last year, Norwich, West Brom and Palace in that order, and West Brom have spent £12million."

Dowie was buoyed by the performances of Hughes, Hall and right-back Emmerson Boyce on Saturday and is likely to stick with them for the trip to Villa Park.

"Tony Popovic had a sore foot, but Fitz Hall was going to play anyway. I am not being critical of anyone but either Mark or Tony was going to make way, because you couldn't leave Boyce out. He is developing all the time and deserves a great deal of credit."

Andrew Johnson has responded well to treatment to a haematoma on his calf picked up against Manchester City and should be fit for Saturday's trip to Villa park.

Dowie said: "He has done well with the treatment and it's looking much better."

Nicola Ventola took a knock to his knee in training and is doubtful. Wayne Andrews (thigh), Danny Butterfield (hamstring), Mikele Leigertwood (knee) and Tony Popovic (foot) are all set to return to training this week but will not be considered for Saturday.