Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is certain his lack of experience at the foot of the Premier League will not handicap him in his relegation battle at Fratton Park.

The Israeli, whose side hosts Aston Villa in a Carling Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, has become more accustomed to life at the top of the table during his managerial career.

He led Chelsea to second in the Premier League in 2007/08 and won championships with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa in his homeland.

But Portsmouth's 4-1 loss against Manchester United last Saturday has left them rock-bottom of the standings and seven points adrift of safety.

Questions have been asked about whether Grant has the stomach for a relegation dogfight following his privileged past.

However, the Pompey manager has no qualms about taking on the challenge.

He said: "I don't have enough experience at the bottom of the leagues - I am guilty. I hope I will not have much experience of this.

"I've spent more than 90% of my life at the top but I know what I need to do here. I have a lot of experience in football.

"One thing I always say to myself when I come into a situation like this is 'get used to it as soon as possible'.

"I'm not looking back and saying I was managing top teams and now I am here. I have a job to do and I am going to do it."

While Grant admits he did not have his heart set on taking over a club in Portsmouth's predicament, he was determined to help the side which first brought him to the Premier League in June 2006 as director of football.

He added: "It was not the dream of my life to take over a team at the bottom.

"If you had suggested I'd have experience of this over the next few years, I would have said no.

"But I think it's a good challenge and that's what's important. In sport, you have different challenges and different places.

"For me, I'm very excited about this. This was the first team I came to over here and when they asked me to help out, I had to do it.

"Of course, I could have waited and looked for other challenges but that's not me."

Pompey have taken just seven points from their opening 14 games and 17th-placed West Ham, who sit just above the drop zone, have twice as many points as the south coast club.

While Grant has 24 games in which turn the team's fortunes around, it's clear the Fratton Park outfit need something special to retain their top-flight status.

But Grant said: "Miracles happen sometimes, no?

"We have more than 20 games until the end of the season, so even though the situation is like this, I think we can do it.

"It will not be easy. I know I'm coming into a difficult situation and it will be a challenge for me, the players and the club."

While Grant's immediate concern will be getting Portsmouth through to the Carling Cup semi-finals, he will also have one eye on the January transfer window.

But he admits he needs to see his current players for longer before making any firm decisions on his new year transfer targets.

He said: "I think I need a little more time. I've had a little time but not very long.

"When you see the training sessions as a manager, you can see things closer and then I will know better. I have an idea (of what I want to do), of course."