Can Aston Villa end Chelsea home record?

We are flying high at the moment after a good three points against Sunderland in the end.

It wasn't the best of games but the result was important.

The opening goal for Sunderland was a soft goal for the Villa defence to give away with Djibril Cisse racing clear of the Martin Laursen and Curtis Davies.

I am sure Martin O'Neill wasn't best pleased about losing that sort of goal.

Ashley Young scored a good free-kick for us to get the scores level, with Laursen creating a little bit of unrest in the wall. It was a very low trajectory on the free-kick and I think Cisse went missing.

John Carew then back heeled the winner in. It was a good win as Sunderland are a good side now. Roy Keane has got his team playing well and has tried to install the sort of players like he was, that show commitment.

The UEFA tie should be a formality tonight after the first game being 3-1 up. But the players still have to have a positive attitude.

Although they have changed the competition around, and next year it will be called the UEFA Europa League, it is still a good competition to do well in. A good cup to have and better than the league cup.

European competitions were all knock out in my day. Home and away. The league format gives teams a chance of losing and getting through.

We have tough opponents up next with a Chelsea side that have not lost in 85 home league games. A record at Stamford Bridge which dates back to February 2004. I think Phil Scolari has just continued their good form and given them that confidence.

They now have quality players throughout the team. He has got them playing a bit more attractive football. Jose Mourinho used to grind out 1-0 results and was happy to keep it like that and Avram Grant was similar.

You just never know though when Chelsea's home record will go. Somebody is going to break it at some stage!

We are in third place now, which is great but it is a long season ahead. There are a lot of points to be won and lost. Martin has the players organised and is getting the players in the scoring habit.

We had £20 million on the bench with Carlos Cuellar and James Milner, which is a good sign. I think if we can break into the top four that would be a big bonus.

The one problem I think as I mentioned before is the strikers. Marlon Harewood played last week when we got knocked out of the Carling Cup against QPR.

Unfortunately I don't think he is a Premiership quality player. Especially when starting games. He can come on and cause problems.

But I am sure Martin had something lined up when the transfer window closed and it just didn't come off. I am sure he will sort it out in January.