Hull hold Villa to goalless draw to move second in early Premier League table

Hull City’s impressive return to the Premier League continued on Saturday evening as Sergej Jakirovic’s side held Aston Villa to a goalless draw at the MKM Stadium, moving up to second in the early standings. Mohamed Belloumi came closest to separating the sides when his whipped left-footed strike beat Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki but crashed back off the crossbar in the second half.

It was another statement result for the Tigers, who arrived into the weekend having already claimed victories over Manchester United and Coventry. The draw capped a breathless week that also saw Hull hand new contracts to six of their Championship play-off heroes and the manager who led their top-flight return, following six deadline-day signings.

Villa, meanwhile, are still searching for their first Premier League goal of the season. Unai Emery’s remodelled squad had their best opening through Emiliano Buendia, who ballooned a close-range finish after Zion Suzuki had clipped a precise ball to the left and George Hemmings cut inside with sharp footwork — a move that deserved a far better conclusion.

The visitors made the brighter start, with Nicolas Jackson nodding across the face of goal inside the opening minutes and Hemmings forcing the first shot on target of Villa’s Premier League season in the 13th minute. Ross Barkley also tested Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis with a driven effort, while John McGinn clipped the ball off target at the end of a promising move.

Hull grew into the contest and threatened consistently down the flanks, with Oli McBurnie proving a physical handful up front. Jakirovic introduced deadline-day signings Sorba Thomas and Brooke Norton-Cuffy from the bench to shift the dynamic, and it was Norton-Cuffy’s deflected cross that led to the corner from which Belloumi struck the woodwork.

Villa penalty appeals for a Nobel Mendy challenge on Jackson were waved away, and both managers made changes in the closing stages in search of a winner, though neither could find the breakthrough. Emery’s side face a swift turnaround, with their Champions League campaign opening at Club Brugge on Tuesday.