MacDonald would relish Aston Villa chance

Aston Villa caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald has admitted that managing the club on a permanent basis would be a "great opportunity" for him.

But the Scot remains steadfast in his pledge to decide whether he will apply for the job after Villa's match against Everton on Sunday.

MacDonald said: "It's got to be thought out very, very closely.

"It would be a great opportunity for me, but it would be a great opportunity for anybody who could take over this job because it is a big club."

MacDonald added that he does not think Sunday's 6-0 defeat at Newcastle harmed his chances, but he understands why some would disagree with him.

"I think people on the outside would probably look at it that way," he said.

"But from my own point of view it hasn't changed my stance towards what I was trying to do.

"Whether it's damaged my opportunity, I've not thought of it as that yet."

Villa defender Carlos Cuellar also claimed the Newcastle defeat would not become a factor in the appointment process.

"I don't think one result can change the thinking of the owner," he said.

"I think the responsibility (for the defeat) was with the players. We were trying to do our best but we had a bad day.

"But we now have another opportunity. Every player is with him and every player is trying to do as well as possible."

The caretaker boss also said he would also be monitoring how the players treated him between now and next week.

"The players, at whatever level you're working with, have to have respect for you," he said.

"I will know if they've got the respect for me or not come the weekend.

"If they don't have that respect then I'll have to maybe look at things in another light."

Villa take on Rapid Vienna in the second leg of their Europe League play-off on Thursday.

MacDonald would not reveal whether he would stick with the inexperienced side that drew 1-1 in Vienna, or call upon fit first team regulars such as Cuellar, James Collins and Gabriel Agbonlahor after the regained their fitness.

"I've thought about throwing more of the youngsters in," he said.

"They performed very well in a very hostile atmosphere (in Vienna).

"I've also thought about playing a few more of the senior players. But whatever team I put out, the big point for us is that we actually qualify and get through the tie.

"Whether it's youngsters, whether it's seniors, that is the most important thing.

"I'm thinking about both sides, but I can't tell you the team yet."

MacDonald's hand may be forced by injuries to senior players, particularly in defence.

Richard Dunne and Luke Young have both picked up knocks, while Stephen Warnock and winger Stewart Downing are being rested after playing three games in nine days.