Hull City vs Aston Villa: Prediction, Team News and Lineups

Hull City have made the sort of start to their Premier League return that nobody saw coming, and now Aston Villa arrive at the MKM Stadium with rather more questions than answers.

The Tigers were widely tipped for relegation before the season began. Two matches later, Sergej Jakirovic’s side have six points, two clean sheets and victories over Manchester United and Coventry. Suddenly, Saturday’s meeting with Villa looks considerably less comfortable for the visitors than the fixture list might have suggested.

Hull City chasing historic Premier League start

Jakirovic has an opportunity to make history. Victory would give Hull City three wins from their opening three Premier League matches, something the club have never previously achieved in the top flight.

It would also make Hull the first newly promoted side since Bolton in 2001-02 to win their first three matches of a Premier League campaign.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest the Tigers can make life difficult for Aston Villa. Hull are unbeaten in their last seven home matches, winning four and drawing three, while the team’s current starting XI has done little to justify wholesale changes.

The summer recruitment has been extensive, with 18 arrivals, including six Deadline Day signings. Managing a 34-player squad will eventually become one of Jakirovic’s bigger challenges, but for now, results make the selection process rather easier.

History, though, offers Villa encouragement. Hull have won only one of their last 16 meetings with Villa, a 2-0 home victory in February 2015.

Aston Villa need an immediate response

Villa’s opening two matches have been alarmingly poor by the standards established under Unai Emery. A 4-0 defeat at Brighton was followed by a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal, leaving Villa pointless, goalless and sitting 19th in the table.

More concerning is the lack of attacking threat. Aston Villa are the only Premier League side yet to record a shot on target this season, an extraordinary statistic after two matches.

The absence of Ollie Watkins has been particularly damaging. Villa have lost their last four Premier League matches without the striker by an aggregate score of 10-1, with their last victory without him coming against Brighton in November 2022.

Emery will therefore hope his new additions can provide an immediate spark. Leon Goretzka could make his full debut, while Ibrahim Mbaye and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are also in contention.

Hull City vs Aston Villa team news

Hull City remain without Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano, Elliot Matazo, Darko Gyabi and Charlie Hughes through injury. Matt Crooks will be assessed before kick-off, while Joe Gelhardt has returned to training but is unlikely to start.

Aston Villa will be without suspended Joao Gomes and the injured Amadou Onana, while Johan Manzambi and Brian Madjo are also expected to miss out. Nicolas Jackson should lead the attack again.

Hull City possible lineup: Tzolakis; Ajayi, Egan, Mendy; Coyle, Slater, Iroegbunam, Giles; Belloumi, Stroud; McBurnie.

Aston Villa possible lineup: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Ruggeri; Kamara, Goretzka; McGinn, Buendia, Mbaye; Jackson.

Score prediction: Hull City 1-2 Aston Villa