As Aston Villa's James prepared for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley, he talked about his confrontation with Clemence, a famous predecessor in the Liverpool goal.

'I was playing a pre-season game for Liverpool in Stockholm before the start of last season and one of the opposing players was coming straight at me,' said James. 'Rather than risk bringing him down, getting sent off and being banned for the start of the season, I let the guy go around me.

'Ray Clemence was commenting on the game for Eurosport and said it was the same mistake I'd been making the previous season. I over-reacted to his comments and said a few choice words back. Maybe my inexperience came into it.

'But I've since apologised to Ray and I seriously hope I haven't had to pay the price for it. I've changed a hell of a lot over the last couple of years and I am a completely different person now. So if I do get a call from England again I'm very confident about my ability and will definitely be ready.'

James puts his return to top form down to his switch to Villa and the faith manager John Gregory has shown in him - along with the understanding he has with fellow England defenders Gareth South-gate, Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth Barry.

'We all work well together and as a defensive unit I think we can become as good as Arsenal's,' said James. 'The likes of Tony Adams, Martin Keown and David Seaman won't be around for ever, and if Villa have the best English defence in the Premiership, why shouldn't it be picked for the international team?'

Gregory raised more than the odd eyebrow when he plumped for 'Calamity' James as Mark Bosnich's replacement last summer. But the former Watford goal-keeper has put that tag, and the nightmare end to his Anfield career, well behind him.

'There were a lot of bad vibes behind the scenes at Liverpool last season and I knew I had to get away if my career was going to progress,' James said. 'Confidence is more important to a goalkeeper than anyone, and at Anfield we weren't dealing with day to day problems as they arose.

'It got to the point where I was going home from training in a sulk every day because things weren't getting any better. But here, working with the boss and goalkeeping coach Paul Barron, nothing is overlooked until it's sorted out.

'I've had past experiences when to get on with team-mates you had to be staying out in the nightclubs until 2am. But when I look in our dressing room I don't see any bad lads. We all get on so well.'

Just as James has the chance to show Liverpool what they have missed, so Bolton's Allan Johnston has the opportunity to put a nightmare behind him. The Scottish forward - nicknamed 'Magic Johnston' by his new fans - was banished on loan by Sunderland after a loyalty row.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce said: 'I think the lad was a bit down when he came here. I think the whole Sunderland scenario had got to him. I haven't discussed it with him and I don't want to. All I know is that we can benefit from the situation.

'He is suited by our style. When he was on loan at Birmingham before coming here, he was used in a variety of positions and I don't think he knew whether he was coming or going.

'He started on the bench with us because his fitness was not quite right but he has sorted that out. He is now in the side and doing really well. He has two goals in two matches and started to provide the kind of crosses that we know he is capable of. He has helped us through some injury problems.

'It would be marvellous if we could extend that loan period until after May 20, the date of the final. Villa are in the best possible form but their supporters will demand a win. This time they are on the spot.'

WEMBLEY TEAMS

Aston Villa: James, Barry, Ehiogu, Wright, Southgate, Delaney, Boateng, Taylor, Merson, Carbone, Joachim or Dublin.