Villa boss Martin O’Neill has admitted he was ready to settle for draw against Gillingham after progressing into the fourth round for the first time in his reign.

O’Neill saw his side overcome the plucky Gills 2-1 in an entertaining FA Cup third-round tie courtesy ,of two James Milner strikes sandwiched between a Simeon Jackson effort.

The Villa chief conceded the claret and blues were presented with a stern test by the League Two side, on a difficult Priestfield pitch affected by the cold conditions.

O’Neill said: “It was very difficult and if our players didn’t think it beforehand, then they knew after 10 minutes that they were in some game.

“We got a great goal and that settled us down a bit, but I never felt comfortable all afternoon and Gillingham were always in the game. They threw everything at us and the home crowd got right behind their team. They were spirited – so all credit to them.

“They equalised and the game was in the balance. We had a chance when their goalkeeper made a really good save from James Milner just after half-time. That might have given us a bit of respite but it was a genuine FA Cup third-round tie.

“We got the winner but we certainly never felt comfortable. I thought in the end we did fine to win it but it was really tough. Before we got the penalty I would have settled for going back to Villa Park.’

“I am happy to have won and I am pleased for our travelling fans, because it was cold out there. I hope the result heated them up as they travelled home.”

The side put out at Preistfield may not have been as strong as it could have been.

Injured pair Gareth Barry and Luke Young were replaced by Craig Gardner and Nicky Shorey, while Nathan Delfouneso came in for the sick Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Villa boss still named a strong side for the clash, with just three changes from the side which beat Hull 1-0 on Tuesday.

It was a statement of intent that Villa are taking the Cup seriously but O’Neill admits his decision to field strong sides in the Cup may be tested as the league season goes on, with Villa currently on course for a Champions League spot.

The manager said: “We went as strong as we could. Had Gabby not been taken ill in the morning he was down to play also. From the game we played against Hull we had eight starting players, so we wanted to treat the game and the competition properly and that’s what we’ve done.

“At this stage just to get through was our priority. If we were to continue to make progress in the league, obviously we’d have a look at it.  But I felt that the FA Cup third round is a big day in the calendar, our UEFA Cup matches are not until mid-February, so the FA Cup match was big.”

O’Neill and Gillingham boss Mark Stimson exchanged words on the touchline during the second half, but O’Neill played down the spat.

He added: “We shook hands in the end.”