Villa blogger Dave Bytheway enjoys another good week, wonders aloud about Carew’s wonder goal and becomes one of the few fancying three points from the trip to Chelsea.

Another good week at Villa Park, another three points and third in the table, what more could we ask for so early in the season?

The Sunderland game was described as make or break by some fans on Villa forums. A win would show we can actually take the next step and pick up the points we dropped last season, a loss would show we’re still dreaming.

A win it was, even after going a goal behind in the first 10 minutes. I read somewhere an interview with a Villa player who said it doesn’t matter if we concede to go behind, as it’s always felt that we can score more than anyone.

A good attitude to have and it showed on Saturday. Commentators were claiming we were under pressure for the last quarter of the game. Understandably from a neutral this looks the case, from a Villa fan’s view it’s the way we play.

When defending a lead, O’Neill will take off Shorey, move Luke Young to left back, move Reo-Coker to right back and add Milner on the right side of midfield.

Not only does this give Ashley Young more licence to go forward, it also gives Reo-Coker protection from Milner’s willingness to defend.

We can defend anything that is thrown, so with five minutes to go Cuellar will be introduced to make sure. Under pressure? Not at all.

The goal from Carew hasn’t received the press it should have. Cristiano Ronaldo’s similar effort against us last season for Manchester United won Goal of the Month, yet Carew’s classy strike didn’t get a mention.

Young’s free kick was perfect too, showing England coach Fabio Capello that surely has to look at him for the next international fixture.

A special mention has to go to Stan Petrov. He has been outstanding this season, and is starting to justify the big money spent to bring him from Celtic.

Player of the month for me, man of the match against Sunderland and he is playing with confidence.

So we face Chelsea on Sunday, who look a far better outfit under Scolari. But with eight rumoured injuries, we can feel quietly confident of causing an ‘upset’ at Stamford Bridge. We play better away from home and our break away’s will cause them problems.

These are exciting times for Midlands football. Villa in the top three, Albion looking good with a win away at Middlesbrough, Wolves and Blues flying high, with Walsall also edging close to the play-offs.

Anyone who can go into a local shop and buy a Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea shirt, instead of being proud to support a local team at the moment, needs reminding of it too.

Good luck for the weekend.

Up the Villa!