And Steve Bruce is hoping his Sunderland side can land some silverware, something the North-East has not seen since the Mackems won the FA Cup in 1973.
(* Yes we know the Smogs won the League Cup but they don't count ... do they!)
The biggest laugh - Sunderland came closest to winning something back in 1985 when they lost the League Cup final to Norwich - and Bruce played that day for the Canaries.
Steve Bruce: "I think managers are put under huge pressure to stay in the Premier League. If you don't then you can lose your job.
"My attitude towards it is 'what am I managing for?'
"We all dream about being a Premier League manager and the next step is 'can we realistically win something?'
"I have never been remotely close, but that has to be the aim.
"If you can get on a cup run it can give the whole club, the whole area a boost.
"I think the fans want to see you take it seriously and we have a chance, we are a Premier League team.
"But this competition is more difficult than the FA Cup as the big boys don't come into it (the FA Cup) until later.
"Villa have been in the Premier League for some time and they have strengthened the squad and it is now looking very healthy.
"If there is one club we should try to copy then it would be Aston Villa.
"The training ground is fantastic, they have invested and put their faith in Martin O'Neill, given him the ammunition he needs.
"He waited all summer and then brought in the likes of James Collins, Richard Dunne and Stephen Warnock, three great signings.
"Before that he got (Emile) Heskey, (James) Milner, (Ashley) Young, (Nicky) Shorey, (Steve) Sidwell."