David Moyes learned this week how quickly things can change in the cut-throat world of football.
Last week, he guided Manchester United to a crucial comeback win over Olympiacos in the Champions League and a 2-0 victory at West Ham United.
Now, the 'Moyes Out' movement is as loud as it has ever been and is planning a protest this weekend.
It took Edin Dzeko only 43 seconds to bring the United manager back down to earth with a bump on Tuesday night as they suffered a comprehensive Manchester derby defeat at Old Trafford.
This result was quick in following another huge home disappointment at the hands of their other fierce rivals, Liverpool, and proved too much for some fans who had previously listened to Moyes's plea for time.
Reports are claiming that a United fanzine is raising money to fund a plane, carrying a banner calling for the Scot to be sacked, over the ground when the Premier League champions host Aston Villa on Saturday.
Regardless of the result then, it could be a dark day for Moyes, but the former Everton boss can only concentrate on matters on the pitch, where he will be without Robin van Persie due to injury.
The Dutch striker is expected to miss a further four weeks with a knee problem, while Nemanja Vidic is also unavailable and his central defensive colleagues Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans major doubts and unlikely to be risked ahead of the daunting visit of Bayern Munich 72 hours later.
Therefore, Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand are likely to start together at the back, while in midfield there could be recalls for Antonio Valencia and Ryan Giggs, who has not played since the win over Olympiacos.
Like United, Villa enter this weekend on the back of a result which ended their recent upturn in form. Christian Benteke scored after five minutes against Stoke City, before the Potters came back in style.
Paul Lambert's men, who had won their previous two games, eventually succumbed to a 4-1 loss at Villa Park, where they have struggled this season, picking up as many points on the road.
First-team regulars Karim El Ahmadi and Andreas Weimann both limped off against Stoke to join long-term absentees Libor Kozak, Jores Okore and Charles N'Zogbia in the treatment room.
There could be a recall on the wing for Mark Albrighton, who has featured as a substitute in each of Villa's last three games, while Matt Lowton may return at right-back, pushing Leandro Bacuna into midfield.
United will remain seventh in the table no matter the result, while Villa, who are nine points clear of the relegation zone, could climb back into the top half of the table with victory in Manchester.
Recent form
Man United: LWWLWL
Villa: LWWLDL
Possible starting lineups
Man United: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Welbeck; Mata; Rooney
Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bertrand; Bacuna, Westwood, Delph; Albrighton, Agbonlahor, Benteke
Sports Mole says: 2-1
Joe Fish
