O'Neill relieved to progress

O'Neill: Pushed all the way

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was delighted to have negotiated a tricky FA Cup test at Gillingham on Sunday.

The Premier League outfit were pushed all the way by their League Two opponents, but eventually emerged with a 2-1 win.

A brace from James Milner, either side of a Simeon Jackson equaliser for the hosts, helped Villa book their place in the fourth round.

O'Neill's men will now face either Doncaster of Cheltenham in the next round, with the Ulsterman relieved to have survived a first hurdle scare.

"Obviously, I'm delighted we've won the game," he said.

"I thought it was a very difficult afternoon the whole way through. If the players didn't know beforehand they were in some game, after about 10 minutes they did.

Never comfortable

"We got a great goal and it settled us down a wee bit but I never felt comfortable all afternoon.

"I thought that Gillingham were always in the game, they equalised and the game was in the balance."

"It was a genuine FA Cup third-round tie," he added.

"I thought in the end we did fine to win it but it was really tough and before we got the penalty, I would have settled with going back to Villa Park.

"The crowd got right behind them and confidence was high within their camp.

"I've been involved in these games as a player and I think they're very difficult. I thought it was blood and thunder and I'm just delighted to have got through."