Aston Villa beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday despite going a goal down and having their best player (Ashley Young) sent off while two others (Martin Laursen and John Carew) were missing because of injury, writes Martin Swain.

They completed this not insignificant victory despite the pressures of their pursuit of a breakthrough finish in the top four, pressures which were heightened by Arsenal still waiting to pounce on any mistake in their later kick-off at Hull.

It was yet another triumph for Martin O’Neill’s unquestionable team-building ability.

Villa fans have enjoyed supporting occasionally successful teams during the Premier League age but not since 1981 have they seen such willpower and collective spirit in their colours.

It is, without question, Randy Lerner’s reward for identifying O’Neill’s capabilities and giving to him everything he requires – most especially time and non-interference – to do the job of which he is so obviously capable.

How Mark Hughes must envy the Villa manager.

Like O’Neill, Manchester City’s manager is a sound and intelligent football man who understands that building a team to withstand all that Villa did at Sunderland and still win has got very little to do with touring the globe and recruiting glittering stars like favourite selections from a chocolate box.

Kaka is undoubtedly one of the finest footballers on the planet who appears to be edging closer to joining City’s improbable project for which he will paid £500,000 a week. But then Spurs sign off £95,000 to Darren Bent every Friday but it does not stop him missing five-yard open-goal chances such as the one Harry Redknapp said his missus would have scored against Portsmouth yesterday.

Hughes, having previously specialised in sow’s ear-silk purse assignments with Wales and Blackburn, is being asked to provide an instant solution to his Arab paymasters’ thirst for a bit of fun in the world’s biggest circus.

But he knows it’s not as simple as just chucking money at it – or as satisfying, for players, managers or fans.

O’Neill needs to make signings in the next couple of weeks but if Villa’s boss does not think a transfer represents good value or the player may upset his dressing room accord, he can turn it down even if it imperils their top-four challenge.

Lerner will let O’Neill decide and I bet Hughes would love to have the same freedom of decision-making.