Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish concedes the job is the toughest he's had in the game.

The Scot is still to win over the Holte End after his defection from Birmingham City.

McLeish, who replaced Gerrard Houllier last summer, said: "Is this my biggest test in football? Yes, it probably would be.

"Rangers was a very tough challenge as well because they expect to win every single week, every single game. It was a different kind of challenge there, if you like.

"There was a spell at Rangers when we weren't winning and again it was difficult with the finances at times. We offloaded a lot of quality players one summer and we didn't really do the right thing replacing all of them but then, the next season, we did and it was all rosy in the garden again.

"I knew when I came to Villa that there were going to be some demanding times ahead and that changing the squad around would take time.

"But I took the challenge up and I'm certainly not going to quit it now.

"I want a bit of respite and I know how hard I work here. I've not got a magic wand and I don't think there are a lot of managers who could do a lot better than the job I am doing just now."