Irish eyes light up Villa park

With criticism still resounding following Saturday's 3-0 loss to Iceland, Lawrie Sanchez's team bounced back with aplomb against Spain. David Healy twice equalised before completing a famous hat-trick with ten minutes remaining as the home side, who included Davis and Aaron Hughes in their ranks, claimed a 3-2 win to climb to fourth in Group F. They are nevertheless level with both Iceland and Denmark on three points after Thomas Sorenson helped the Danes to a 2-0 victory in Reykjavik, with goals from Dennis Rommedahl and John Dahl Tommason.

That result leaves Sweden sitting pretty atop the section but, without Olaf Mellberg, they struggled against minnows Liechtenstein, eventually needing two Marcus Allback goals to steal a 3-1 win. Another Villa old boy, Thomas Hitzlsperger, was also on target twice as Germany earned a record-breaking 13-0 victory against San Marino. Elsewhere, recent signing Stilian Petrov's Bulgaria team beat Slovenia 3-0 to make it four points from two games in Group G.