Strangely enough, these two teams are inform with both teams winning their last two games, a win for either will mean three consecutive victories for either side. That would be quite a statement for newly promoted side Hull City, whom many believed would get relegated. And Aston Villa seriously struggled last season and are currently without top scorer Benteke and vital winger Agbonlahor. So it’s fair to say, this could turn out to be a very good game. Hull City will look to pick up as many points at home whilst Aston Villa have collected more points away. It’s safe to see that both teams are oozing with confidence and this game has the potential of being a classic.
Hull City most recently beat West Ham at home 1-0 and also beat Newcastle in a very impressive display to win 3-2. Aston Villa on the other hand beat Norwich away 1-0 and most recently got a surprise victory over former Premier League Champions Man. City. If Villa can beat Hull on Saturday, the victory will show a great level of ambition as well as progress. Not only will it show many pundits that Villa can infact play and win games without Benteke, but could also see Aston Villa continue their challenge for a top 10 finish. Hull City on the other hand have impressed and Steve Bruce has set up his team well over the last few games, but they aren’t scoring enough. Hull will be without top scorer Brady and that will obviously make it more difficult for Hull this weekend.
On a side note, Curtis Davies is playing against his former side, the defender made 67 appearances for Villa from 2007-2011. Also Brad Guzan played for Hull City on loan in January to April of 2011.
Team News:
Hull are without top scorer Robbie Brady, meaning either Quinn or George Boyd will replace the Irish midfielder. Paul McShane is fit again and may start in defence. Koren and James Chester are long-term absentee’s.
Aston Villa could welcome Ashley Westwood and Agbonlahor back into the side. Westwood has missed the last 3 games with a thigh injury and Agbonlahor has been out with an ankle injury. Both have resumed training this week.
Match Facts:
Villa have won their last eight meetings against Hull in all competitions, including all four Premier League fixtures. The Villans have kept six successive clean sheets in this fixture.
Hull have made the best Premier League start of the three promoted clubs (W3, D1, L2), and have earned seven points from their three home fixtures.
Steve Bruce’s side have the chance to win back-to-back home matches in the Premier League for the first time in their history.
Villa are striving to register three successive league wins for the first time since April 2010.
Their tally of nine goals is bettered only by Manchester City (14) and Arsenal (13).
Predicted Lineups:
McGregor
Rosenior-Faye-Davies-Figueroa
Elohamdy-Huddlestone-Livermore-Boyd
Aluko-Graham
Agbonlahor-Kozak-Weimann
Delph-Westwood-El Ahmadi
Luna-Clark-Vlaar-Bacuna
Guzan
Match Predictions:
Hull 0-2 Aston Villa
I’ve been getting these predictions pretty wrong lately, but this time I hope I’m right. Aston Villa must beat Hull otherwise the victory against City won’t mean as much. A chance to get 3 wins in a row would be fantastic and Villa need to be winning these games if they want to get a top 10 spot this season, it’s going to be so competitive. Having said that, I think Kozak and Agbonlahor will score. I also think we’ll keep a clean sheet, Brady is a massive miss and as a result, will be less of a threat out wide. And let’s not forget, Aston Villa are very good when playing away.
Mediocre but an away draw is fine, especially with no goals conceded. Wiemann perhaps needs to be rested and come on as a sub after 60 minutes. I think we sacrificed attacking bite by not having Luna and Bacuna running forward enough in favour of being stronger defensively. The defence was good though, all of them did well.
No disaster, nothing to write home about, on a different day (i.e. if Wiemann and Gabby were already scoring goals) we could have won it.
We should still be in 10th until our next match, which is Benteke nearer match fitness.
Onwards and upwards.
Agree about weimann he needs to sit on the bench for a few games and have some thinking space.
OOHAH that’s the second time in a week we’ve agreed on something. People are going to start talking…
Lol it’s a worry foxy 😉
Happy with an away draw and another clean sheet.
On reflection after looking at the fixture objectively a point ain’t too bad.
think people were ignoring the fact that hull are on good form especially at home despite the fact we often play better away.
if you’d have offered me 4 pts from the last 2 games I’d have taken your hand off! and pre season I’d have been very happy with our current position considering our fixtures and tekkers being out for the last 3 games.
UTV
Steve Bruce has got Hull looking pretty solid and well organised. I don’t think we should be disappointed with a point today.