Which Villa would turn up today, I wondered, as I waved to coach loads of fellow pilgrims from Birmingham, overtaking them up the A1 into the dark stormy North East. And could Saint James, patron saint of all pilgrims, do it again? Could he work his magic like against Hull, or would Sunderland become another Burnley where we ran out of steam and guile in similar rain and gloom? On the back on our best win in years against the Scum, I was nervous. We’d be tired, we’d be complacent, we wouldn’t like the rain…..so went my fears as I entered the Stadium of Light for the second time this season.

And as Sunderland began brightly, forcing two corners in rapid succession, my apprehensions surfaced again. But, I reminded myself, this is a different looking Villa. We have a new found confidence and belief with a Saint in midfield, two out and out wingers, an express train centre forward, the best goalie in the league and an absolute rock in the centre of defence: surely, another winning formation?

And soon I realised which Villa had turned up - and this wasn’t the Burnley or Blackburn version. We were up for it, we weren’t tired, and we hadn’t forgotten how to play. And it wasn’t that long before our midfield resumed its shape and began to apply its newly found art of cutting defences up through the middle. James fed an incisive ball to my favourite player (!) and the ball was in the net. Once more, sang the crowd, we were in a Heskey wonderland. Wow, does he want that plane next summer.

They’ll soon be saying James Milner is better than Gerrard. They would not be far wrong. I was directly behind the goal when he took the ball over 25 yards out and dared to look up at goal. I didn’t believe he’d shoot. Next second every Villa fan behind that goal just swooned in admiration as the ball rocketed into the top corner. James the Saint’s goal was out of this world, and even the Sunderland fans applauded. His second goal of the season, no doubt about it. And when I watched it on TV later it looked even better. What a talent and yes, he wants the plane too.

Someone who won’t be on the plane unfortunately is Richard Dunne. Along with Milner, he was the best player on show tonight. This guy is immense. If I pay him the highest compliment it is to say he made me feel like I was watching Paul McGrath. He’s got the same assuredness, the same confidence, the same presence everywhere he’s needed. I can see him becoming an icon, I really can.

Two nil and looking solid, we starting playing around with them, keeping the ball for twenty or thirty passes at a time. I like this new look Villa, and I reckon, so does Martin, as he waved to the crowd at the end. Our saviour Martin may play down Champions League as much as he likes, but I don’t believe him. He knows, like we and most pundits are realising, that this Villa side can go all the way.