Martin O'Neill's believes Aston Villa's understated celebrations after winning away to Manchester United is a clear indication his players will not get carried away with their current success.
Villa won at Old Trafford for the first time in 26 years thanks to Gabriel Agbonlahor's first-half goal and climbed into third spot in the Barclays Premier League for 24 hours before being overtaken by Arsenal.
It completed a memorable treble following wins at Anfield and at home to Chelsea this season, but O'Neill thinks his squad have their feet firmly on the ground ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light.
O'Neill said: "I think it's important to take everything in context. It was a fine win against United and I'm delighted we won and, by winning the game at Old Trafford, I am sure it will give players a bit more confidence.
"But I'm sure they are also totally aware the Sunderland game will be just as difficult. Just because we won at Old Trafford doesn't mean we can win anywhere.
"Anyone can win somewhere, sometime given a set of circumstances.
"I don't want to play it down. It was a great win for us, the first time at United for 26 years, but I don't think the players will get too carried away with it. I think you saw that."
O'Neill knows that expectations are increasing because of Villa's second successive push to secure a top-four spot but knows the picture can quickly alter.
He said: "To beat Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United is really fine and pretty exceptional but, as a consequence, you raise expectations around the place.
"I've said before I am not too concerned about that. The converse is absolutely true. You lose a couple of games and people think you're sliding down the table again. Things have to be in perspective."
