Martin O'Neill admitted his team got the tough test he expected in the third round FA Cup tie with Gillingham.
Aston Villa snuck in with two goals from birthday boy James Milner lifting his side to a scrappy 1-2 victory...
O'Neill paid tribute to Mark Stimson's League Two side as they gave Villa a real scare during 90 rip-roaring minutes.
O'Neill told AVTV: "It was a really difficult cup-tie. I thought it was going to be tough before kick-off and so it proved.
"If the players hadn't thought they were going to be in a real cup-tie, they knew they were after 10 minutes. It was just an exceptionally difficult game and I am delighted to get through to the next round.
"James opened the scoring for us and I thought that first goal was fantastic. It gave us a lift and kept us going but then they equalised and it was all hands to the pump for us after that.
"Gillingham threw everything at us and the home crowd got right behind their team. They were spirited - so all credit to them.
"We got the winner but we certainly never felt comfortable.
"I am happy to have won and I am pleased for our travelling fans because it was cold out there. I hope the result heats them up as they travel home."
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