Sunderland go to Aston Villa with a carrot dangling this weekend.
The Black Cats have won 46 points in the Premier League, a tally which is already their most in a top-flight season since 2010-11 (47). Should they land a win, it would be their biggest points tally since earning 57 in 2000-01.
It's been a remarkable return to the big time.
Regis le Bris' side have 12 wins in the Premier League during the campaign. That is as many as all three newly promoted sides managed combined last season and the most victories by a promoted team in a season since Fulham won 15 in 2022-23.
The only downer, Sunderland are without a win at Villa Park in six outings.
