"I looked at my substitutes' bench at West Ham last Saturday and thought: `I've got some good 'uns here waiting to come in'. Mark Draper was industry personified in Thompson's role, while Riccardo Scimeca, nominally a centre-back, covered and tackled assiduously as Taylor's replacement."It's been said that we haven't got enough strength in depth, and we need to bring people in, but we seemed to do OK in Spain," Gregory said. Although they came under heavy pressure it was striking how few saves Oakes had to make before two agile stops late on.Julian Joachim, Merson's stand-in, secured the early advantage with a major assist from the rehabilitated striker Gregory calls "Stanley Victor" (aka Collymore). By the same token, however, Newcastle never developed the defensive solidity on which Gregory is convinced title campaigns stand or fall.In the absence of the another mainstay, Mark Bosnich, Michael Oakes kept Villa's ninth clean sheet so far. "We've done nothing yet," he said, acknowledging that silverware tends not to be won in the autumn and recalling how Newcastle lost a big lead in Kevin Keegan's last full season.Villa may lack the attacking flair with which St James' Park was synonymous. Each was unavailable for Tuesday's first leg of the second-round tie, and the implication was that none could take his place for granted after fine displays by their deputies.Gregory was not only unconcerned that not everyone appears to take Villa seriously as championship challengers, but claimed to "fully understand" the reservations. When Gregory noted yesterday that "quite a few people will have taken notice of this result", it appeared he was about to demand some overdue respect.Far from it: among the people to whom he was referring, Gregory explained, were Paul Merson, Ian Taylor and Alan Thompson.

Many pundits appear to believe they are merely keeping the Premiership's hot seat warm until Arsenal, Manchester United or even Chelsea move in.Not that their ebullient manager bears any resentment over the relative lack of recognition for Villa. JUST WHEN it seemed to their followers that things could hardly get any better, Aston Villa achieved arguably their most outstanding victory on foreign soil since Peter Withe's memorably messy goal won the European Cup against Bayern Munich 17 years earlier. By recreating the 1-0 scoreline from that heady night in Rotterdam against a Celta Vigo side lying joint third in Spain's Primera Liga, Villa's all- English line-up did more than establish a platform for progress in the Uefa Cup and stretch an unbeaten start to 12 matches. Villa's ninth win of the season - and 18th in John Gregory's 25-match reign - also confirmed their status as realistic contenders for honours both abroad and at home. A decision to ease back on his appearances, whenever it came, would be applauded by all who want to see the Chester prodigy's talent blossom into the next decade - none more so than those at Lancaster Gate.. Owen may well play against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but could be rested again in the Worthington Cup tie with Fulham next Tuesday.Evans said: "We have to be aware of his tiredness, and we need players in the busy coming weeks to retain their freshness."After scoring two goals in his last 12 club and international games, Owen has looked jaded.

He said: "David has taken a lot of criticism in the past but this season he has come back, trained hard and become stronger. And that's now showing in games."If he plays to his potential then he is going to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world and will have the chance to play for England again."Liverpool will now hope that the passing ability of Jamie Redknapp, absent with a groin strain, will be available for the second leg in Spain. Also, Owen is more than likely to be among the starting XI that evening.The decision to rest him, whenever it came, was always going to be awkward for Evans and Gerard Houllier. If Liverpool had struggled without Owen then criticism was certain to follow.

Evans, however, is taking a longer- term view and described Owen as a "priceless asset we have to protect". He warned: "He can't carry the world on his shoulders for us and England."Now they have finally taken the decision to withdraw him after a period of activity that reaches back to the beginning of last season, it will be easier to rest the 18-year-old in the future. He looked very confident and we just hope he can maintain that confidence."With all the post-match discussion about the decision to rest Michael Owen after playing more than 80 games for club and country in under two years, James's sterling performance went largely unheralded.His Liverpool colleagues, however, have witnessed first hand James' quiet return to form, a progress acknowledged by the club captain, Paul Ince. James has conceded just one goal, keeping three clean sheets, and showing a growing confidence and air of authority that has delighted the Liverpool joint management team.James has been heavily criticised for being unsure in the air, but at Everton on Saturday against the intimidating Duncan Ferguson and an aerial bombardment, the Liverpool keeper could not be faulted.Against Valencia's fleet-footed, clever forwards - including Argentina's Claudio Lopez - James did not put a foot or hand wrong. The joint manager, Roy Evans, said: "James was excellent, he made some great saves and kept us in it. Had it not been for the excellent James, the 0-0 draw that Liverpool clawed their way to would have been a heavy reverse. Even now they can expect a intimidating night in the Estadio Mestalla in a fortnight. It is four games now since James reclaimed the goalkeeping jersey he lost to Brad Friedel after the Merseyside derby last season in February.