Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes his unsung side are now getting the respect they deserve.
However the experienced Welsh boss is not content to rest on his laurels at the Britannia Stadium.
He will not relax until the 40-point mark is attained and their Premier League status secured for a third successive season.
Stoke are only five points adrift of that target following the draw with Burnley in midweek as they head into the home game against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Pulis said: "I think we have been accepted more this year after staying up. People have respected us more as a club and a team.
"I don't think we have ever been spoken of as a team that is going to get relegated after the first 10 games of the season.
"We have made progress. We are a better team than we were last year. Results prove that especially away from home.
"We want to get to 40 points and then beat 45, our total last year. Then I will be doing somersaults.
"It has been a massive learning curve for me and also for the players accepting that it is a squad game and being part of a group.
"It is not just the 11 that are picked. It is the 18-19 players who get you through a season. That is becoming more and more evident."
Stoke won the corresponding fixture 3-2 against Martin O'Neill's side last season.
Mamady Sidibe scored a late winner and that proved to be the launchpad which saw them avoid relegation against the odds.
Pulis said: "That game will always stick in my mind as it was our first win at home in the Premier League and against a top team."
Villa are pushing for a place in the top four and through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup after reaching the Carling Cup final.
Pulis is a big admirer and said: "I would pay to watch Villa as they are a real exciting team. They are as good an attacking side as I have seen for a long time.
"Villa have so much pace, they can outplay you. They have all the tools in the bag.
"I have a lot of time for Martin. Some managers moan and groan when things are not going well. He never does, he gets on with it.
"He is gracious in victory and defeat. He has good quality about him."
Ricardo Fuller, Glenn Whelan and Danny Higginbotham could come into contention against Villa.
In addition to a back problem Fuller has a touch of flu while Whelan (hamstring) and Higginbotham (back) are also having treatment for injuries.
Pulis added: "We will look at Ric tomorrow and have a chat. After four and and a half years of working with Ric, I can't work him out.
"Luckily the opposition can't either, so I just hope he turns up and is ready to go."
