The last 32 beckons. ....

Dean Saunders is here, manager of non-league Wrexham.

I'm Wondering if he is here purely in his media capacity with a national radio station or is he scouting for talent? Marlon Harewood is available.........perhaps.

Gareth Barry's goal on the stroke of half-time has given Villa a chance to relax and get some goals.

There was far too much made of his post-Pompey comments in the media about him demanding to play in midfield, just like there was too much made of Martin O'Neill's response which was reported as: "You'll play where I tell you to play", but in reality was somewhat different.

I should know as it was me who spoke to O'Neill on his mobile phone to get the story, midway through the Newcastle-Manchester City game on Monday night. Totally unfussed by Barry's reported comments he was too.

Anyway, back to the action..... Nicky Shorey has just leathered a cracker from the edge of the area which Kenneth Vermeer has done brilliantly to save. Martin Laursen's follow-up header looks destined to creep under the crossbar but the agile Vermeer is there again.

Shorey is having a storming second half. Never saw him in the first.

Stuart Pearce is here too. Looking thoroughly bored. I wonder if Gabby Agbonlahor's recent form for Villa is a concern? One goal in ten games, or something like that. And he's not looking great tonight.

Every now and again the Holte sparks into delirium. It's still a nervy occasion. Those three points can mean so much. Still can't help thinking that the alcohol ban in the UEFA Cup makes such a difference.

Fair play to the stadium announcer. He's corrected himself having made a bit of a blooper by announcing Ajax's substitute as 'Leonardo Sno'. He's actually rattled off the names of two subs together there.

I wonder whether Davies Knight will see some action soon? Looking at the Cuellar- Laursen partnership I would suggest not for a while.

Just over 20 minutes to go and all is well. Even the Dutch journalists around me have gone a little quiet.

The aforementioned Agbonlahor has taken a tumble in the box after getting the better of Leonardo, who if he is the Brazilian must be 50 if he is a day.

Villa are well on top now but survive a scare when Dario Cvitanich heads wide.

Vermeer has just kicked the ball further than I have ever seen without wind assistance, some three-quarters of the length of the pitch. Somewhat predictably Laursen came through the back of the centre-forward like a tank and headed it back towards half-way.

Villa are inching their way there...... Gareth Barry has just produced a strong-arm lock around the neck of Leonardo.

Ajax have played some neat stuff but have not done enough to get an equaliser.

Much was made of Klaas Jan Huntelaar. O'Neill even joked he was spoken about more in terms of 'trillions' than 'millions' - but he's hardly had a kick.

Agbonlahor has just been clattered by Vermeer, rather him than me. He's put onto a stretcher on 93 minytes and doesn't look happy. It looked like a clattering to the shoulder.

Davies gets an unexpected outing. Still no Harewood.

The crowd- just over 36,500 of them- are now whistling like crazy. But 94 minutes are up and three points it is. Just four more needed at most now from three matches.

What a relief. Next stop Prague!