Ball is convinced his future lies at the Stadium of Light

The Black Cats' temporary manager, still celebrating the first home Premiership win of the season against Fulham, takes his side to Aston Villa where he comes face to face with the man reportedly being lined up as the new boss at the Stadium of Light.

Despite David O'Leary dismissing talk linking him with the Wearsiders, there remains a feeling he is the man Niall Quinn wants to take charge of team affairs if his bid to take control of the club is successful.

Quinn and O'Leary's friendship goes back to when both were Arsenal players in the 1980s and if the former Republic of Ireland striker's consortium gains control there will be a question mark over Ball's future.

If he is to go then Ball at least ended his spell in charge with something Mick McCarthy couldn't manage this season - a home league win.

Ball even launched into his version of Rudyard Kipling's 'If' to describe the feeling of Thursday's home success - the last top-flight victory at the Stadium of Light was on December 12, 2002, 2-1 over Liverpool.

"I think you should treat winning and defeat in the same way," said Ball. "If you treat winning as a massive high and defeat as a massive low your emotions will always be like a yo-yo unless you're an unbelievably successful manager.

"I think you have to be very level-headed about everything.

"It was important everyone connected with the club went home with a smile on their face. That to me was the most important thing. I'm just a peripheral part of it, the bigger picture is the club and the supporters.

"It was a nice feeling. I celebrated with a cup of tea in my back garden at quarter to one. How's that for a celebration?"

Ball has never hidden his desire to take on the role full-time, even talking of becoming manager in the future if now is deemed not his time.

The current board have promised Ball his job back at the Academy but, come July, the board will be a far different animal if Quinn's consortium takes control.

"It was a stipulation I spoke to the board about that if I was doing the job for ten games I expected my other role (at the academy) to remain open, and that's the way it is," said Ball.

"But it's most definitely whetted my appetite. It's given me an insight into what's needed to become a manager in any given league.

"I understand the Premier League will be different to the Championship and the first and second divisions in terms of what you have to deal with but I've fully enjoyed it and it has whetted my appetite."

Ball also defended the decision to take his players on a lap of honour after Thursday, even though Sunderland's campaign has been an unmitigated disaster.

"People have to understand it wasn't a lap of honour, it was a lap of thanks to the fans for their support throughout this year," said the caretaker boss.

"It's been a very difficult year for Sunderland, for the players, supporters and everyone connected with this football club, and come the last home game of the season you want to go out with a flourish.

"Bearing in mind we hadn't won at home all season it made it all the more special and the relief for the players and supporters alike was there for everyone to see.

"I spoke to the senior players and the captain (Gary Breen) and said it was important we did it.

"It was important they thanked everybody in the stadium for their support home and away this season.

"In the face of adversity a Sunderland supporter will always come through. It's been a very difficult season for us and it was absolutely magnificent at the end of the game."

Ball goes in search of Sunderland's fourth win of the season at Villa Park tomorrow, determined to end the campaign on a high.

"It's been such a difficult season for both clubs that both will want to end the season on a high and I hope it makes for a good game," said Ball.

"We've got a fair few injury problems in terms of niggles. We'll assess everyone, take a big squad with us and it'll be a case of who's up for the game and all hands to the pump.

"Stephen Elliott will not play but I'm not ruling anyone else out yet.

"I'm hoping that (home win) will have a very positive effect on the players next season.

"It was important they left the Stadium of Light this season, after what went on, in a positive frame of mind.

"They'll go away and remember that and hopefully it will live with them not only for the rest of their lives but they can also take it into next season to help rebuild this club.

"Our away support has been magnificent, especially down at Everton, when they were jumping around and enjoying the game, and I'd love to think we can do the same thing at Villa."