Eriksson joy at England win

Sven Goran Eriksson's watching brief for England

Sven Goran Eriksson could not disguise his delight as his new England team gave him a winning start to his reign against Spain.

England's mix-and-match squad recorded an excellent 3-0 win against the highly-rated Spaniards at Villa Park.

Liverpool duo Nick Barmby and Emile Heskey scored England's first two goals, and Middlesbrough's Ugo Ehiogu added a third to make it a night of celebration for the Swede.

Eriksson said: "They did a great job out there. If you take away the first 20 minutes, I think we played some very good football. It was my first match and it's been marvellous to see.

"Spain are a very good team and it's not easy to control the game and create a lot of opportunities, but I'm happy with what the players did - it was a very good performance."

He added: "All English players can come into this squad if they're good enough and the only thing I'm really sorry about is that we couldn't play all of them.

"I was really proud being out there, it went quite well and you can't get any bigger than representing your country

  England new boy Chris Powell

"I would have been delighted to have changed all 11 and I had that in my head, but Spain didn't allow us to use more than seven substitutes."

Eriksson's first captain, David Beckham, admitted he was warming to the idea of the role after a stout performance. It came in a week in which he had earlier questioned his own credentials to receive the leading role.

"I talked a little bit more on the pitch than I usually do, but the lads showed out there that we can play good football and score good goals," he said.

"I think the first 20 minutes we sat off them a little bit too much and they were playing the ball around.

"Once we pushed on and got the goal we settled down and played some good football - and in the second half after all the changes we played some great stuff too."

Man of the match Barmby also rejected suggestions that the match must be put into context by the efforts of a Spanish side, many of whom are looking ahead to the weekend clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

If you take away the first 20 minutes, I think we played some very good football and it's been marvellous to see

  England coach Sven Goran Eriksson

Barmby said: "The goal came when we picked up the pace. We gave them respect - they are a good side.

"We were finding our feet for the first 20 minutes then we created a lot of chances.

"Spain were taking it seriously. Look at their players - Mendieta and Raul and the rest. You see them week in week out. They were taking it seriously so give credit to England."

Middlesbrough defender Ehiogu added: "It's nice to be back in the fold - it's like a little learning curve again for me so I've enjoyed it.

"The movement was pretty good, the delivery for my goal was great and I met it well so I was delighted. I'm grateful to be involved; I start a four-match ban now so I've got to try to keep myself fit and hopefully stay on the edge."

Powell troubles Spain

One of England's major pluses was shock 31-year-old call-up Chris Powell, who played from the start and impressed before his substitution after suffering a calf strain.

Powell said: "It's something I'll never forget - it was exhilarating being out there.

"I was really proud being out there, it went quite well and you can't get any bigger than representing your country.

"Before the game I just wanted to make sure I'd done well but when the whistle went it was just like another game of football really. I'm just really pleased that it went well for Mr Eriksson."