I would have anyone but Owen partner Rooney. What has he done lately? Yes he has a good scoring record, but he is not mtch fit and his performances for England over the last few games, incl Euro 2004, have been distinctly average. He is selfish, has lost a lot of his pace, which was his main attribute, and Smith, Defoe and Vass are much better in the box than him. Yes, IMO, Vass is better in the box than Owen.
Vass is more on form than Owen, at least he is playing. If Vass ever got dropped ahead of Owen, on current form/games played, then I would write to the FA and complain.