DAVID VAUGHAN thinks Sunderland must prove they have the mentality to win back-to-back games in the Premier League after finally delivering some light relief to Wearside.

The Black Cats are sitting 14th and within three points of the top eight after Saturday's 2-0 victory at Bolton, but the talk from inside the dressing room has already centred on avoiding complacency.

When Sunderland finally won their first Premier league fixture of the season against Stoke on September 18, the satisfaction was soon followed by further disappointment.

The 2-1 defeat at Norwich arrived courtesy of a turgid performance from Sunderland and heightened the pressure from supporters on the shoulders of manager Steve Bruce.

But after helping Sunderland secure maximum points at the Reebok Stadium four days ago, Bruce has laid down the challenge to his squad to building on that success. Something, it has to be said, his players are well aware of.

"It's vital we don't turn in a similar performance in the next game to that which we did at Norwich," said Vaughan. "We beat Stoke and then went away and probably turned in the worst display of our season.

"Yes, we have beaten Bolton and beaten them well, but we have to focus on the next game and make sure those levels don't drop for the visit of Aston Villa."

Sunderland's predicament just above the relegation zone before the trip to Bolton was one which had supporters concerned. One victory has not erased such worries, just reduced them.

And if Bruce fails to motivate his team to a positive display and result against Villa this weekend, such worries are likely to return ahead of the trip to Manchester United on November 5.

"The league table wasn't happy reading and you can't help but worry about things like that," said Vaughan. "But it is only early in the season and if we perform like we did in the second half at Bolton we will be fine.

"We needed to get the points on the board at Bolton because if you pick up points against the big teams they're a bonus. We need to win games like Bolton and Villa.

"The confidence should be with us now and hopefully we can go on a bit of a run, get that form up there and climb up the table."

Vaughan's individual performance at the heart of the Sunderland midfield alongside Jack Colback was something Bruce had been satisfied with at Bolton.

What the pair lack in height - both are under 5ft 8in - they made up for with endeavour and energy at Bolton and that is likely to keep them in the team that faces Villa on Saturday.

"I have enjoyed the last four games I have played," said the 28-year-old Wales international. "They have all been different games, different demands. I feel I have done well in a couple and not so well in others, but I have been pleased overall.

"Me and Jack are quite similar. We get about the pitch and we are quite small, but we like to be on the ball and it worked well. Hopefully we can build on our start together and we have just got to hope the manager sticks with us.

"But you know that in Lee Cattermole and Craig Gardner the manager has two good midfielders who are unlucky not to be playing. We have to keep it up."

* Sunderland fans, like Newcastle's, can also take advantage of a season ticket offer over the next few months. They can secure a seat for the final 11 home games of the campaign, including the visits of Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs and champions Manchester United with an 11-game card.

By purchasing the new 11-game card, which starts with the visit of Everton on Boxing Day, supporters can enjoy savings of more than 50 per cent on buying tickets for individual matches.

Adult cards are available from £255 and there are prices available for under 22s at £175, and over 65s at £195.