Sven Goran Eriksson's reign as England coach got off to a dream start tonight with an impressive 3-0 win over Spain in a friendly international at Villa Park.
Liverpool duo Nick Barmby and Emile Heskey scored either side of half-time and Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu added a third with 20 minutes to go to round off an excellent night for Eriksson.
Swede Eriksson set the seal on the extraordinary rise of Charlton defender Chris Powell when he handed him his debut.
The 31-year-old leftback made up a back four of PhilNeville, Sol Campbell and the world's most expensive defender Leeds United's Rio Ferdinand.
Erikssson also sprung a minor surprise up front by starting not with the expected Mancheter United pairing of veteran Teddy Sheringham and AndyCole but instead the injury-plagued Liverpool forward Owen was preferred as Cole's partner.
Three of Cole's Manchester United team-mates formed the midfield, captain David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. Liverpool midfielder Barmby was the fourth member of the central quartet.
In goal Aston Villa's error-prone David James got the nod at his home ground.
On a bitterly cold night England were the first to threaten when Barmby's low drive flashed wide of the post and at the other end Ismael Urzaiz headed wide for Spain from Manuel Garcia's probing cross.
After the opening exchanges Spain enjoyed a spell of possession with Valencia playmaker Gaizka Mendieta pulling the strings in midfield for the lively visitors while England struggled to move beyond their own half.
Real Madrid's Ivan Helguera struck a sweet half-volley from 25 yards after 19 minutes which James saved comfortably in the England goal.
Butt went close with a far post header on the half hour and a minute later Scholes' cheeky back-heel almost put Owen through but the Liverpoolstriker was marginally offside.
England grew in confidence and after 38 minutes they took the lead thanks to Barmby.
Ferdinand's defensive clearance found Cole whose flicked header directed the ball into Owen's feet.
Owen chipped a delightful ball through for his Liverpool colleague and Barmby went in bravely to flick the ball past the onrushing Casillas and intothe back of the Spanish net.
Eriksson used six substitutes at half-time and one of them, Frank Lampard, almost doubled England's lead a minute after the break but he failed tofind the target with his blistering drive.
England took full control of the match after 54 minutes by increasing their lead through Heskey.
Lampard's teasing corner was met by fellow substitute Ehiogu who caused confusion in Spain defence by clattering into Casillas and the ball fellkindly to Heskey, who came on at half-time and he slammed home from close range.
Ehiogu got in on the scoring act himself after 80 minutes rising unchallenged to meet Barmby's curling corner with a bullet header
Much to the delight of the home crowd Moreno then had his spot-kick brilliantly saved by Martyn after being hauled down by Ehiogu. -AFP