In what was the England striker's best performance of the season, Owen's seventh minute goal was enough for Real to beat the Spanish champions Valencia and move up to seventh in the table.

Substituted with 31 minutes remaining, Owen left the field to a standing ovation after he put in the kind of performance laced with both skill and hard work that the Santiago Bernabéu crowd love.

"I'm improving with every game," Owen said after the game. "I feel sharp and quick. I haven't played loads this year, so I've got a spring in my step. I'm delighted now that it is starting to click."

Owen's goal was a brilliantly taken effort. After Zinedine Zidane combined well with Raúl, the Spanish striker played a ball through the inside-left channel which Owen picked up before finishing confidently past Santiago Canizares.

Owen's effort, a well-struck rising shot high into the net with the outside of his right foot, was an indication of his increasing confidence as he settles in Madrid and at the Bernabéu.

Meanwhile, Darius Vassell will be out for three months after a scan has revealed that he broke his ankle in Villa's Premiership match against Fulham on Saturday.

With England facing Spain in a friendly on 17 November, the injury may leave the door open for another striker to take the place of Vassell with Carlton Cole one man possibly in the frame for a first call-up.

Sven has spoken highly of the 21-year-old, who has made a great start to the season, scoring four times in four England U21 matches.

You can follow all the build-up to Spain v England here on TheFA.com