The newcomers are impressing while the favourites are still goalless: Hull City vs Aston Villa prediction
The third-round Premier League match between Hull City and Aston Villa will take place on 5 September at the MKM Stadium. The hosts have won both of their opening Premier League matches, while Unai Emery's side are yet to collect a point and remain without a goal.
Hull City: perfect start after returning to the top flight
Sergej Jakirović's side began the season with two clean-sheet victories, beating Manchester United 2-0 and Coventry 1-0. For a newly promoted team, such a start looks particularly impressive given that Hull were regarded as one of the leading relegation candidates before the season began.
The Tigers also look confident on their own ground, where they are unbeaten in seven consecutive matches in all competitions. Historically, however, meetings with Aston Villa have been difficult, with Hull winning only one of the last 16 head-to-head encounters.
Aston Villa: two defeats and not a single shot on target
Unai Emery's side have made a disastrous start to the league campaign, losing 4-0 to Brighton and 1-0 to Arsenal. After two rounds, Villa sit 19th and remain the only Premier League team yet to register a shot on target.
The absence of Ollie Watkins has been particularly damaging. In their last four Premier League matches without him, the Birmingham side have suffered four defeats by an aggregate score of 10-1.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Hull have won both of their opening Premier League matches and are yet to concede.
- Aston Villa have lost their first two league matches by an aggregate score of 5-0.
- Villa have won six of the last eight Premier League meetings between the teams.
The hosts can pick up points again: Hull City vs Aston Villa prediction
Hull have started the season far more confidently and look organised enough at home to cause problems for another higher-profile opponent. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have been far too ineffective going forward and are yet to show that they can quickly emerge from their poor run.
On the other hand, the visitors still have the stronger squad and should not remain goalless indefinitely. Therefore, the most logical outcome looks to be an even contest in which Hull preserve their unbeaten run and Villa finally find the net.
