Hull vs Aston Villa Preview
Hull have made a flying start to the Premier League season and Aston Villa have lost their opening two games. The Tigers are on the up and can secure a home win or draw against the Villans.
Hull on an 8 Match Unbeaten Run
- Hull are unbeaten in their last 8 home games.
- Hull are unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 matches against Aston Villa.
- Aston Villa have lost their last 5 games.
H2H
Aston Villa have a 19-6 advantage against Hull, alongside 10 draws.
In-Form Hull Causing Surprises
Newly promoted Hull are a hard-to-beat team and have lost once in their last 12 fixtures in all competitions.
The Tigers drew 0-0 at home against Nice in their final pre-season friendly. They followed that result with a 2-0 home victory over Man United on their Premier League return.
Hull continued their strong run of form with a 1-1 EFL Cup second round draw at Stoke, allowing just 0.9 XG.
Sergej Jakirovic’s side jumped to third in the Premier League following a 1-0 win at Coventry. The Tigers had just two shots on target and Liam Millar struck in the 82nd minute.
Aston Villa Look Underprepared
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have seen a lot of change throughout the summer. They have signed 11 new players and sold key personnel, including Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa.
Villa have struggled with the transition and are on a five-match losing streak, conceding 11 and scoring three.
The Birmingham outfit were thrashed 4-0 at Brighton in their opening Premier League game. Villa shipped all four goals in the opening 31 minutes and had just 0.28 XG.
The Villans also lost 1-0 at home against Arsenal on Monday. Emery’s side struggled to create, had no shots on target and conceded early in the second period.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Hull (5-4-1): Konstantinos Tzolakis; Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Semi Ajayi, John Egan, Nobel Mendy, Ryan Giles; Mohamed Belloumi, Regan Slater, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Sorba Thomas; Ollie McBurnie
Midfielder Matt Crooks is an injury doubt.
Goalkeeper Jack Butland and midfield trio Darko Gyabi, Eliot Matazo and Oscar Zambrano are injured. Defender Charlie Hughes is also sidelined with a groin issue.
Joe Gelhardt is expected to return following a recent ankle injury. Sergej Jakirovic confirmed the attacker’s availability pre-match and said:
"Since Monday [Gelhardt] has been in full training with the group so we will see with him and our tactical plan. He is available."
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Marco Bizot; Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley; John McGinn, Emi Buendia, George Hemmings; Nicolas Jackson
Midfielder Joao Gomes is suspended. Forward Brian Madjo and midfielders Amadou Onana and Johan Manzambi are ruled out due to injury.
New signing Leon Goretzka is expected to make the squad. Unai Emery was positive about the midfielder’s chances of playing against Hull and said:
“He is good, and hopefully on Saturday, after three days of training, he should be ready.”