Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner believes manager Martin O'Neill would be impossible to replace. <

Lerner rates the Villa Park boss as the very best in the business and is confident he can bring success to the Midlands club.

With speculation over Steve McClaren's future ongoing despite England being back in the hunt for a Euro 2008 place, O'Neill remains a strong contender should the Football Association elect to make a change.

Lerner told the Birmingham Mail: "He is special. We have the best manager around, I do believe that.

"But as Martin settles into this over the years, I think he can accomplish anything he wants to here. And, my God, I do mean 'here'.

"I don't think the Martin O'Neills of the world are ever available. Ever. Somehow the fates have to conspire. The worst thing in the world would be to set out and try to get a Martin O'Neill, because you would never get him."

Lerner enjoys an excellent working relationship with his manager, and has no intention of trying to intervene in team affairs.

He added: "It is a kind of comfortable relationship, it is not strained. He doesn't call me 'boss' - you cannot operate that way with Martin O'Neill.

"Martin O'Neill is a very special person. He was a great player, he is clearly an amazing manager and there is more to him than that.

"I don't believe it is my place to be on the phone with Martin all the time.

"I am new with English football, and not new to American football so I am better at sounding like I know what I am talking about.

"It is a different process becoming intimate with the changes and moods within American football than it is with English football. But our offices are right next to each other."