A lot has happened in the past 13 months.

Several celebrity deaths, an inexplicable Presidential victory for maverick businessman Donald Trump, a snap election was called and a subsequent shock result followed, all in the time which it has taken Middlesbrough to register an away win.

'Boro's last victory on the road was their second  fixture of last season in August, as the Premier League new boys trumped now fellow Championship side Sunderland which included a sumptuous strike from the right foot of Christian Stuani from 25 yards.

Unfortunately for them it was an early peak as Aitor Karanka's side slid down the table and failed to triumph away from the Riverside for the rest of the season, a run which continued into the first two months of Garry Monk's rein.

On the surface, Saturday's win at Bolton was a formality against a very poor Championship side, but after two defeats in as many away fixtures adding to their horrendous form on the road, the 3-0 victory at the Macron is a huge psychological boost.

Favourites with pretty much every bookmaker as a result of an ambitious summer splurge on the attacking prowess of Britt Assombalonga and others, in addition to their already solid foundations lain with Championship experience, their travel sickness seemed to be holding them back somewhat even at this early stage of the campaign.

The victory at Bolton was the perfect antidote, and as 'Boro prepare for the expedition to Villa Park this evening, their new found confidence should see them go from strength to strength and live up to the expectations bestowed on them over the summer.

Of course nothing is guaranteed in the capricious nature of the Championship, but you could be forgiven for thinking that Middlesbrough will be a formidable force in the league from here on in.